| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09466609B2 |
3-dimensional nonvolatile memory device and method of manufacturing the same
The device includes plural control gates stacked on a substrate, plural first channels, configured to penetrate the control gates, and plural memory layer patterns, each located between the control gate and the first channel, configured to respectively surround the first channel, wherein the memory layer patterns are isolated from one another. |
| US09466608B1 |
Semiconductor structure having a dual-gate non-volatile memory device and methods for making same
A method for making a semiconductor structure includes forming an oxide layer onto non-volatile memory, high, and low voltage device regions of a substrate and forming a first gate material layer over the oxide layer. The first gate material layer is patterned to form a set of memory device select gates in the non-volatile memory device region and a set of gates in the high voltage device region. The patterning is performed while maintaining the oxide and first gate material layers over the low voltage device region. The method also includes forming a second gate material layer over the structure and forming a non-volatile storage layer between the set of select gates and the second gate material layer, from which a set of memory device control gates is patterned. Thereafter, the first gate material layer is patterned to form a set of gates in the low voltage device region. |
| US09466606B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
A semiconductor storage device according to an embodiment comprises stacks comprising insulating films and first wires that are alternately stacked. Semiconductor parts are provided in the stacks. The longitudinal direction of the semiconductor parts is a stacking direction of the insulating films and the first wires. Charge accumulation layers are provided between the first wires and the semiconductor parts and a plurality of the charge accumulation layers are provided corresponding to one of the semiconductor parts in a cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the semiconductor parts. A width of first side surfaces of the semiconductor parts on which the charge accumulation layers are provided is larger at bottom ends of the semiconductor parts than at top ends of the semiconductor parts. |
| US09466604B2 |
Metal segments as landing pads and local interconnects in an IC device
Methods for utilizing metal segments of an additional metal layer as landing pads for vias and also as local interconnects between contacts in an IC device and resulting devices are disclosed. Embodiments include forming source/drain and gate contacts connected to transistors on a substrate in an integrated circuit device, each contact having an upper surface with a first area; forming metal segments in a plane at the upper surface of the contacts, each metal segment being in contact with one or more of the contacts and having a second area greater than the first area; and forming one or more vias between one or more of the metal segments and one or more first segments of a first metal layer. |
| US09466603B2 |
Semiconductor device with air gap and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of first conductive structures formed over a substrate, second conductive structures each formed between neighboring first conductive structures of the first conductive structures, air gaps each formed between the second conductive structures and the neighboring first conductive structures thereof, third conductive structures each capping a portion of the air gaps, and capping structures each capping the other portion of the air gaps. |
| US09466600B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device may include a first metal gate electrode provided in a NMOS region of a substrate; and a second metal gate electrode provided in a PMOS region of the substrate, wherein the first and second metal gate electrodes may be formed of TiN material or TiAlN material. Here, the first metal gate electrode may have a higher titanium (Ti) content than the second metal gate electrode, and the second metal gate electrode may have a higher nitrogen (N) content than the first metal gate electrode. |
| US09466599B2 |
Static current in IO for ultra-low power applications
An input/output (IO) circuit including: an IO driver circuit; an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection semiconductor switch with a first input configured to receive an ESD, a second input connected to an ESD rail, and a switch control input; an ESD trigger circuit connected to the switch control input, wherein the ESD trigger circuit is configured to produce a trigger signal to close the protection semiconductor switch when the ESD detection circuit detects an ESD; and a bias circuit configured to provide a back bias signal to an isolated well of the ESD protection semiconductor switch when IO circuit is in normal operation. |
| US09466591B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor chip that includes a first main surface, a first inductor formed on the first main surface, and a first external connection terminal formed on the first main surface; a second semiconductor chip that includes a second main surface, a second inductor formed on the second main surface, a second external connection terminal formed on the second main surface; and a first insulating film that is located between the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip, wherein the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip overlap each other such that the first main surface and the second main face each other, the semiconductor device includes a facing region in which the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip overlap each other when seen in a plan view. |
| US09466586B1 |
Method for manufacturing wafer-level fan-out package
Provided are a semiconductor package and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor package. The method for manufacturing a wafer-level fan-out package includes attaching semiconductor chips sawed to have a predetermined size to one surface of a wafer at predetermined intervals, forming a first passivation layer on surfaces of the semiconductor chips and the wafer, forming a redistribution layer electrically connected to the semiconductor chips on portions of an upper surface of the first passivation layer, forming a second passivation layer on the upper surface of the first passivation layer and surfaces of portions of the redistribution layer, forming external connection terminals on portions of the redistribution layer in which the second passivation layer has not been formed, and performing sawing along package boundary lines (sawing lines) and polishing the wafer to be removed such that lower surfaces of the semiconductor chips are exposed. |
| US09466581B2 |
Semiconductor package device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a die, a pad disposed on the die and configured to be electrically coupled with a bump through a conductive trace attached on the pad, a polymer disposed over the die and patterned to provide a path for the conductive trace passing through, and a molding surrounding the die and the polymer. A top surface of the molding is substantially in a same level as a top surface of the polymer. Further, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a die, forming a pad on the die, disposing a first polymer over the die, patterning the first polymer with an opening over the pad, disposing a sacrificial layer over the patterned first polymer, disposing a molding surrounding the die, removing a portion of the molding thereby exposing the sacrificial layer, removing the sacrificial layer thereby exposing the pad and the first polymer, disposing a second polymer on the first polymer, patterning the second polymer with the opening over the pad, and disposing a conductive material on the pad within the opening. |
| US09466580B2 |
Semiconductor package and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device structure and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide a semiconductor device structure (e.g., a sensor device structure), and method for manufacturing thereof, that comprises a three-dimensional package structure free of wire bonds, through silicon vias, and/or flip-chip bonding. |
| US09466579B2 |
Reinforced structure for a stack of layers in a semiconductor component
The present application relates to a reinforcing structure for reinforcing a stack of layers in a semiconductor component, wherein at least one reinforcing element having at least one integrated anchor-like part, is provided. The basic idea is to reinforce bond pad structures by providing a better mechanical connection between the layers below an advanced underbump metallization (BUMA, UBM) by providing reinforcing elements under the UBM and/or BUMA layer. |
| US09466577B2 |
Semiconductor interconnect structure with stacked vias separated by signal line and method therefor
A semiconductor device is made by forming a first conductive layer over a substrate, forming a first passivation layer over the first conductive layer, forming a first via in the first passivation layer to expose the first conductive layer, forming a second conductive layer over the first passivation layer and within the first via to electrically connect to the first conductive layer, forming a second passivation layer over the second conductive layer, and forming a second via in the second passivation layer to expose the second conductive layer. The second via is smaller than the first via. The second via is either physically separate from or disposed over the first via. The second conductive layer within the second via has a flat surface which is wider than the second via. An under bump metallization is formed in the second via and electrically connected to the second conductive layer. |
| US09466566B2 |
Stacked bit line dual word line nonvolatile memory
An arrangement of nonvolatile memory devices, having at least one memory device level stacked level by level above a semiconductor substrate, each memory level comprising an oxide layer substantially disposed above a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of word lines substantially disposed above the oxide layer; a plurality of bit lines substantially disposed above the oxide layer; a plurality of via plugs substantially in electrical contact with the word lines and, an anti-fuse dielectric material substantially disposed on side walls beside the bit lines and substantially in contact with the plurality of bit lines side wall anti-fuse dielectrics. |
| US09466561B2 |
Packaged semiconductor device for high performance memory and logic
A packaged semiconductor device is disclosed. The device comprises a substrate having multiple layers between first and second oppositely disposed faces, and a cavity with an opening at the first face to nest at least one integrated circuit memory device. Logic circuitry is disposed on the second face and includes contacts for electrically coupling to the stacked integrated circuit memory devices. The logic circuitry is coupled to electrical contacts formed on the first face through first electrical paths formed in the multiple layers of the substrate, the first electrical paths including conductive traces and vias. |
| US09466560B2 |
Interposer fabricating process and wafer packaging structure
An interposer fabricating process includes the following steps. A substrate, an oxide layer, and a dielectric layer are stacked from bottom to top, and an interconnect in the dielectric layer is provided, wherein the dielectric layer includes a stop layer contacting the oxide layer and the interconnect includes a metal structure having a barrier layer protruding from the stop layer. The substrate and the oxide layer are removed until exposing the stop layer and the barrier layer by a removing selectivity between the oxide layer and the stop layer. A wafer packaging structure formed by said interposer is also provided. |
| US09466555B2 |
Semiconductor chip and stack type semiconductor apparatus using the same
A semiconductor may include a core block configured to store and output data, and may be configured to output internal information. The semiconductor may include a through via configured for signal transfer with another semiconductor chip. The semiconductor may include an internal information processing circuit configured to transmit internal information selected from the internal information to the through via, or may be configured to output internal information of the other semiconductor chip, which has been transmitted through the through via, to an exterior through a special purpose pin, in response to test signals. |
| US09466547B1 |
Passivation layer topography
A topographical structure is formed within an integrated circuit (IC) chip passivation layer. The topographical structure includes a trench extending below the top surface of the passivation layer and above the top surface of an uppermost inter-metallic dielectric layer underlying the passivation layer associated with the uppermost wiring line of the IC chip. The topographical structure may also include a ridge above the top surface of the passivation layer along the perimeter of the trench. The topographical structure may be positioned between a series of IC chip contact pads and/or may be positioned around a particular IC chip contact pad. The topographical structures increase the surface area of the passivation layer resulting in increased underfill bonding to the passivation layer. The topographical structures also influence capillary movement of capillary underfill and may be positioned to speed up, slow down, or divert the movement of the capillary underfill. |
| US09466546B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming the same
A semiconductor device includes a wiring board; a stack of semiconductor chips disposed over the wiring board, each of the semiconductor chip comprising via electrodes, the semiconductor chips being electrically coupled through the via electrodes to each other, the semiconductor chips being electrically coupled through the via electrodes to the wiring board; a first seal that seals the stack of semiconductor chips; and a second seal that covers the first seal. The first seal is smaller in elastic modulus than the second seal. |
| US09466539B2 |
Automated fillet inspection system with closed loop feedback and methods of use
Systems and methods for automated inspection of fillet formation along on or more peripheral edges (13a) of a packaged microelectronic device (14) that is attached to a supporting substrate (16), such system (10) including a feedback loop for controlling fillet formation. More specifically, the system (10) includes a dispensing system (18) configured for dispensing underfill material (22) onto the supporting substrate (16). The system (19) further includes an automated optical inspection (AOI) system (19) configured for determining a value of a measurable attribute of the fillet (12), such as whether the fillet (12) is properly dimensioned, i.e., sized and shaped. A feedback loop (66) is included between the dispensing system (18) and automated optical inspection system (19). The feedback loop (66) is configured to communicate information from the AOI system (19) to the dispensing system (18) to permit adjustment of one or more operating parameters thereof, thereby maintaining proper dimensions of the fillet (12). |
| US09466537B2 |
Method of inspecting semiconductor device and method of fabricating semiconductor device using the same
A method of inspecting a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate, on which a mold layer with a plurality of mold openings is provided, milling the mold layer in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a direction normal to a top surface of the substrate, such that an inclined cutting surface exposing milled mold openings is formed, the milled mold openings including first milling openings along a first column extending in a first direction and having different heights, obtaining image data of the cutting surface, the image data including first contour images of the first milling openings, and obtaining a first process parameter, which represents an extent of bending of the mold openings according to a distance from a top surface of the substrate, using positions of center points of the first contour images. |
| US09466535B2 |
Method of forming target patterns
A method of forming target patterns is disclosed. A substrate with multiple fins is provided. A plurality of mask patterns is formed across the fins and in at least a part of non-target areas. Target patterns are formed respectively in trenches between the mask patterns. The mask patterns are removed. With the disclosed method, the target patterns can be formed with substantially equal thickness. In the case that the target patterns are dummy gates, the conventional defects such as dummy gate residues or gate trench widening caused by uneven thicknesses are not observed upon the dummy gate removal step. |
| US09466534B1 |
Cointegration of directed self assembly and sidewall image transfer patterning for sublithographic patterning with improved design flexibility
After forming transfer layer portions over a portion of a dielectric cap layer overlying a first portion of a substrate by a directed self-assembly process, a hard mask layer is formed over the dielectric cap layer to fill spaces between the transfer layer portions. Spacers are then formed over a portion of the hard mask layer overlying a second portion of the substrate by a sidewall image transfer process. A top semiconductor layer of the substrate is subsequently patterned using the transfer layer portions and the spacers as an etch mask to provide densely packed semiconductor fins in the first region and semi-isolated semiconductor fins in the second region of the substrate. |
| US09466533B2 |
Semiconductor structure including a through electrode, and method for forming the same
A semiconductor structure including a through electrode includes a lamination body including at least three layers, including respective vertically aligned electrode parts, the electrode part on the surface of an uppermost layer and including an aperture, the electrode part of the intermediate layer having an aperture smaller than the aperture of the uppermost layer; a through-hole extending from the aperture of the electrode part on the uppermost layer to the surface of the electrode part on a lowermost layer, the through-hole having a depressed part on a side wall thereof between the electrode parts therein; an insulating layer disposed on the entire side wall in the through-hole at a part other than on surfaces of the electrode parts; and a conductive material filling the through-hole from the surface of the electrode part on the lowermost layer to the surface of the electrode part on the uppermost layer. |
| US09466530B2 |
Methods of forming an improved via to contact interface by selective formation of a metal silicide capping layer
One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming an opening in at least one layer of insulating material so as to thereby expose at least a portion of a conductive contact, performing a selective metal silicide formation process to selectively form a metal silicide layer in the opening and on the conductive contact, depositing at least one conductive material above the selectively formed metal silicide layer so as to over-fill the opening, and performing at least one planarization process so as to remove excess materials and thereby define a conductive via that is positioned in the opening and conductively coupled to the selectively formed metal silicide layer and to the conductive contact. |
| US09466525B2 |
Interconnect structures comprising flexible buffer layers
A structure includes a substrate, a low-k dielectric layer over the substrate, and a conductive barrier layer extending into the low-k dielectric layer. The conductive barrier layer includes a sidewall portion. A metal line in the low-k dielectric layer adjoins the conductive barrier layer. An organic buffer layer is between the sidewall portion of the conductive barrier layer and the low-k dielectric layer. |
| US09466524B2 |
Method of depositing metals using high frequency plasma
Methods for depositing metal layers, and more specifically TaN layers, using CVD and ALD techniques are provided. In one or more embodiments, the method includes sequentially exposing a substrate to a metal precursor, or more specifically a tantalum precursor, followed by a high frequency plasma. |
| US09466522B2 |
Method for fabricating semiconductor structure
A method for fabricating semiconductor structure is provided. A substrate having a plurality of blocks is provided. Each of the blocks includes a first region and a second region. The first region and the second region are disposed alternately. A plurality of composite layers is formed on the substrate. The top-most layer of the composite layers is patterned. A plurality of composite blocks is formed on the first region of the substrate. The composite layers and the composite blocks on the blocks are removed successively by a removal process. A staircase structure is formed on the substrate. |
| US09466519B2 |
De-chuck control method and control device for plasma processing apparatus
A de-chuck control method is provided for de-chucking a workpiece from an electrostatic chuck, which includes a chuck electrode and electrostatically attracts the workpiece. The de-chuck control method includes acquiring a time-integration value of a current by measuring the current flowing from the chuck electrode for a predetermined time period after a plasma process is ended and a voltage applied to the chuck electrode is turned off; calculating a difference between the time-integration value of the current and an electric charge charged to the chuck electrode during the plasma process; calculating a counter voltage according to a residual charge of the electrostatic chuck based on the difference and a predetermined correlation between the time-integration value of the current and a torque acting on a support pin for supporting the workpiece; and applying the counter voltage to the chuck electrode while introducing gas into a processing chamber and generating plasma. |
| US09466517B2 |
Microwave annealing apparatus and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a microwave annealing apparatus is provided, including a housing shielding electromagnetic waves, a first electromagnetic wave source configured to apply a first electromagnetic wave into the housing, a second electromagnetic wave source configured to apply, into the housing, a second electromagnetic wave having a higher frequency than the first electromagnetic wave, a susceptor configured to hold a semiconductor substrate, made of a material transparent to the first electromagnetic wave and provided in the housing, a temperature measuring device configured to measure the temperature of the semiconductor substrate, and a control unit configured to control the power of each of the first and second electromagnetic wave sources in accordance with the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device. |
| US09466516B2 |
Method of manufacturing thermal insulation wall body
A method of manufacturing a cylindrical thermal insulation wall body having a holding unit of a heater element formed in an inner peripheral surface includes processing a plate-shaped thermal insulation member such that a plurality of groove portions are formed at a predetermined pitch, processing the thermal insulation member such that an angle between either of the first surface and the second surface, and a third surface on which the groove portions are formed, is 90+180/n degrees, and manufacturing the cylindrical thermal insulation wall body by bonding a plurality of sectional thermal insulation members, wherein the plurality of sectional thermal insulation members are bonded such that the groove portions of the adjacent sectional thermal insulation members are aligned with each other and to form the holding unit in the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical thermal insulation wall body. |
| US09466513B2 |
Treatment liquid supply apparatus and substrate treatment apparatus including the same
A treatment liquid supply apparatus supplies a treatment liquid to a predetermined object for treatment of a substrate, and recovers the supplied treatment liquid for reuse. The apparatus includes: a first tank in which the treatment liquid to be supplied to the object is stored; a second tank in which the treatment liquid recovered from the object is stored; a transfer unit which transfers the treatment liquid from the second tank to the first tank; a first temperature regulating unit which regulates the temperature of the treatment liquid to be supplied from the first tank to the object; and a second temperature regulating unit which regulates the temperature of the treatment liquid to be transferred from the second tank to the first tank by the transfer unit. |
| US09466512B2 |
Substrate cleaning apparatus and substrate processing apparatus
A substrate cleaning apparatus which can sufficiently clean a pen-sponge in its entirety, and can prevent particles, which have been once removed, from being reattached to the pen-sponge is disclosed. The substrate cleaning apparatus includes: a substrate holder configured to hold and rotate a substrate; a sponge cleaning tool to be brought into contact with a surface of the substrate; a cleaning element provided adjacent to the substrate held by the substrate holder; and a cleaning-tool moving mechanism configured to bring the sponge cleaning tool into contact with the cleaning element. The cleaning element has a cleaning surface that is to come in contact with the sponge cleaning tool, and a central portion of the cleaning surface is located at a higher position than a portion, of the cleaning surface, outside the central portion. |
| US09466507B2 |
Etching method, and recording medium
An etching method includes a modification process of supplying a mixture gas to a surface of a silicon oxide film, modifying the silicon oxide film to generate a reaction product, and a heating process of heating and removing the reaction product. The modification process includes a first modification process of supplying the mixture gas containing a gas including a halogen element and an alkaline gas to the surface of the silicon oxide film, and a second modification process of stopping supplying the alkaline gas and supplying the mixture gas containing the gas including the halogen element to the surface of the silicon oxide film. |
| US09466505B2 |
Methods of patterning features having differing widths
A method includes forming a layer of material above a semiconductor substrate and performing a first sidewall image transfer process to form a first plurality of spacers and a second plurality of spacers above the layer of material, wherein the first and second pluralities of spacers are positioned above respective first and second regions of the semiconductor substrate and have a same initial width and a same pitch spacing. A masking layer is formed above the layer of material so as to cover the first plurality of spacers and expose the second plurality of spacers, and a first etching process is performed through the masking layer on the exposed second plurality of spacers so as to form a plurality of reduced-width spacers having a width that is less than the initial width, wherein the first plurality of spacers and the plurality of reduced-width spacers define an etch mask. |
| US09466504B1 |
Methods of fabricating features associated with semiconductor substrates
Some embodiments include a method of fabricating features associated with a semiconductor substrate. A first region of the semiconductor substrate is altered relative to a second region. The altered first region has different physisorption characteristics for polynucleotide relative to the second region. The altered first region and the second region are exposed to polynucleotide. The polynucleotide selectively adheres to either the altered first region or the second region to form a polynucleotide mask. The polynucleotide mask is used during fabrication of features associated with the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09466503B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a second insulating layer over a first insulating layer, forming a mask over the second insulating layer, after the forming the mask, a first etching of the second insulating layer which is not covered by the mask, and after the first etching, a second etching of the second insulating layer and the first insulating layer which are not covered by the mask. At the first etching, the second insulating layer left over the first insulating layer and the first insulating layer is not exposed. At the second etching, the left over second insulating layer and the first insulating layer are etched. The first insulating layer has a lower dielectric constant than the second insulating layer. A second etching condition of the second etching includes a larger flow rate of oxygen than a first etching condition of the first etching. |
| US09466501B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving CMP planarity
Provided is a method of planarizing a semiconductor device. A dielectric layer is formed over a substrate. A plurality of openings is formed in the dielectric layer. The openings have varying distribution densities. The openings are filled with a metal material. A first chemical-mechanical-polishing (CMP) process is performed to remove portions of the metal material over the dielectric layer. Thereafter, a sacrificial layer is formed over the dielectric layer and the metal material. The sacrificial layer has a planar surface. The sacrificial layer is formed through one of: a spin-on process or a flowable chemical vapor deposition (FCVD) process. A second CMP process is then performed to remove the sacrificial layer and portions of the dielectric layer and the metal material therebelow. The second CMP process uses a slurry configured to have a substantially similar polishing selectivity between the sacrificial layer, the dielectric layer, and the metal material. |
| US09466499B2 |
Combinatorial methods for developing electrochromic materials and devices
A substrate having a plurality of site-isolated regions defined thereon is provided. A first electrochromic material, or a first electrochromic device stack, is formed above a first of the plurality of site-isolated regions using a first set of processing conditions. A second electrochromic material, or a second electrochromic device stack, is formed above a second of the plurality of site-isolated regions using a second set of processing conditions. The second set of processing conditions is different than the first set of processing conditions. |
| US09466498B2 |
CMOS gas sensor and method for manufacturing the same
A CMOS gas sensor comprises a membrane (13) extending over an opening (12) of a silicon substrate (1). A patch (2) of sensing material is arranged on the membrane (13) and in contact with electrodes (3) of platinum. A heater (5) of tungsten is located in or on the membrane (13) at the location of the patch (2) of metal-oxide sensing material. Combining platinum electrodes (3) with a tungsten heater (5) on top of a CMOS structure provides a gas sensor of high reliability and stability. |
| US09466497B1 |
Method for fabricating a silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) non-volatile memory cell
The invention provides a method for fabricating a silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) non-volatile memory cell, comprising: (S1) forming a pad oxide pattern on a silicon substrate having a recess exposing a tunnel region of the silicon substrate; (S2) forming a bottom oxide layer, a nitride layer, a top oxide layer covering the recess and the pad oxide pattern to form a first ONO structure; (S3) forming a photoresist on the first ONO structure covering the recess and a peripheral region of the pad oxide pattern; (S4) removing a part of the first ONO structure exposed by the photoresist to form an U-shaped ONO structure; (S5) trimming the photoresist to exposed a part of the U-shaped ONO structure above the recess; (S6) removing the part of the U-shaped ONO structure; (S7) removing the photoresist; (S8) removing the pad oxide pattern and the top oxide layer; and (S9) forming a gate structure. |
| US09466494B2 |
Selective growth for high-aspect ration metal fill
An improved conductive feature for a semiconductor device and a technique for forming the feature are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the semiconductor device includes a substrate having a gate structure formed thereupon. The gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer disposed on the substrate, a growth control material disposed on a side surface of the gate structure, and a gate electrode fill material disposed on the growth control material. The gate electrode fill material is also disposed on a bottom surface of the gate structure that is free of the growth control material. In some such embodiments, the gate electrode fill material contacts a first surface and a second surface that are different in composition. |
| US09466487B2 |
Photolithographic methods of producing structures in radiation-emitting semiconductor components
A photolithographic method which produces a structure in a radiation-emitting semiconductor component by providing a semiconductor wafer having a semiconductor layer sequence, applying a first photoresist layer to the semiconductor wafer, providing a mask, and arranging the mask relative to the coated semiconductor wafer, exposing the first photoresist layer and imaging the mask in the first photoresist layer, arranging the mask or a different mask relative to the semiconductor wafer at another position different from a first position and again exposing the first photoresist layer and imaging the mask in the first photoresist layer or applying a second photoresist layer to the first photoresist layer, arranging the mask or a different mask relative to the semiconductor wafer at a second position, and exposing the second photoresist layer and imaging the mask in the second photoresist layer, forming a patterned photoresist layer and patterning the semiconductor wafer. |
| US09466486B2 |
Method for integrated circuit patterning
A method of forming a target pattern includes forming a first trench in a substrate with a cut mask; forming a first plurality of lines over the substrate with a first main mask, wherein the first main mask includes at least one line that overlaps the first trench and is thereby cut into at least two lines by the first trench; forming a spacer layer over the substrate and the first plurality of lines and over sidewalls of the first plurality of lines; forming a patterned material layer over the spacer layer with a second main mask thereby the patterned material layer and the spacer layer collectively define a second plurality of trenches; removing at least a portion of the spacer layer to expose the first plurality of lines; and removing the first plurality of lines thereby resulting a patterned spacer layer over the substrate. |
| US09466483B2 |
Film deposition apparatus and film deposition method
A film deposition apparatus includes a turntable to rotate a substrate thereon, a process gas supply part to supply a process gas to form a thin film on the substrate, a heating part to heat the substrate up to a predetermined film deposition temperature to form a thin film, a plasma treatment part to treat the thin film for modification, a heat lamp provided above the turntable and configured to heat the substrate up to a temperature higher than the predetermined film deposition temperature by irradiating the substrate with light in an adsorption wavelength range of the substrate, and a control part to output a control signal so as to repeat a step of depositing the thin film and a step of modifying the thin film by the plasma, and then to stop supplying the process gas and to heat the substrate by the heat lamp. |
| US09466477B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device, substrate processing apparatus, and semiconductor device
There are provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a substrate processing apparatus, and a semiconductor device. The method allows rapid formation of a conductive film, which has a low concentration of impurities permeated from a source owing to its dense structure, and a low resistivity. The method is performed by simultaneously supplying two or more kinds of sources into a processing chamber to form a film on a substrate placed in the processing chamber. The method comprises: performing a first source supply process by supplying at least one kind of source into the processing chamber at a first supply flow rate; and performing a second source supply process by supplying the at least one kind of source into the processing chamber at a second supply flow rate different from the first supply flow rate. |
| US09466470B2 |
Systems and methods for acquiring data for mass spectrometry images
Systems and methods are provided for maximizing the data acquired from a sample in a mass spectrometry imaging experiment. An ion source device is instructed to produce and transmit to a tandem mass spectrometer a plurality of ions for each location of two or more locations of a sample. A mass range is divided into two or more mass window widths. For each location of the two or more locations, the tandem mass spectrometer is instructed to fragment the plurality of ions received for each location using each mass window width of the two or more mass window widths and to analyze resulting product ions. A product ion spectrum is produced for each mass window width, and a plurality of product ion spectra are produced for each location of the two or more locations. |
| US09466469B2 |
Remote plasma source for controlling plasma skew
A plasma source is provided including a core element extending from a first end to a second end along a first axis. The plasma source further includes one or more coils disposed around respective one or more first portions of the core element. The plasma source further includes a plasma block having one or more interior walls at least partially enclosing an annular plasma-generating volume that is disposed around a second portion of the core element. The annular plasma-generating volume includes a first region that is symmetrical about a plurality of perpendicular axes that are perpendicular to a first point positioned on the first axis, the first region having a width in a direction parallel to the first axis and a depth in a direction perpendicular from the first axis. The first region has a width that is at least three times greater than the depth of the first region. |
| US09466467B2 |
Ion implantation apparatus
An ion implantation apparatus includes: a plurality of units for accelerating an ion beam generated in an ion source; and a plurality of units for adjusting a scan beam and implanting ions into a wafer. A horizontal U-shaped folder type beamline having opposite long straight portions includes the plurality of units for adjusting the scan beam in a long straight portion to have substantially the same length as the ion source and the plurality of units for accelerating the ion beam. |
| US09466466B1 |
Determination of semiconductor chamber operating parameters for the optimization of critical dimension uniformity
Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for optimizing Critical Dimension Uniformity (CDU) during the processing of a substrate. One method includes identifying an operation of a recipe for processing a substrate within a chamber, the operation being configured to provide a pulsed radio frequency (RF) to the chamber. A plurality of tests are performed in the chamber for the operation utilizing the pulsed RF, each test having a duty cycle for the pulsed RF selected from a plurality of RF duty cycles. The method also includes for each test, measuring the critical dimension (CD) and the CDU for features in the substrate, and selecting a first duty cycle from the plurality of RF duty cycles based on the measured CDs and CDUs for the plurality of tests. The method also includes setting the selected first duty cycle in the operation of the recipe for processing the substrate. |
| US09466463B1 |
Charged particle beam substrate inspection using both vector and raster scanning
The present application discloses methods, systems and devices for using charged particle beam tools to inspect and perform lithography on a substrate using a combination of vectoring to move a beam to features to be imaged, and raster scanning to obtain an image of the feature(s). The inventors have discovered that it is highly advantageous to use an extra step, a fast raster scan to image the substrate at a lower resolution, to determine which features receive priority for inspection; this extra step can reduce total inspection time, enhance inspection results, and improve beam alignment and manufacturing yield. Using multiple beam-producing columns, with multiple control computers local to the columns, provides various synergies. Preferably, miniature, non-magnetic, electrostatically-driven columns are used. |
| US09466462B2 |
Inspection of regions of interest using an electron beam system
A system for scanning a plurality of regions of interest of a substrate using one or more charged particle beams, the system may include: an irradiation module having charged particle optics; a stage for introducing a relative movement between the substrate and the charged particle optics; an imaging module for collecting electrons emanating from the substrate in response to a scanning of the regions of interest by the one or more charged particle beams; and wherein the charged particle optics is arranged to perform countermovements of the charged particle beam during the scanning of the regions of interest thereby countering relative movements introduced between the substrate and the charged particle optics during the scanning of the regions of interest. |
| US09466461B2 |
Rotation angle measuring method of multi-charged particle beam image, rotation angle adjustment method of multi-charged particle beam image, and multi-charged particle beam writing apparatus
According to one aspect of the present invention, a rotation angle measuring method of a multi-charged particle beam image includes two-dimensionally scanning a mark arranged on a stage in a multi-charged particle beam writing apparatus using, among multi-charged particle beams that can be used for exposure, a plurality of representative beams of which number is smaller than the number of beams constituting the multi-charged particle beams, creating a two-dimensional image of the plurality of representative beams based on signals obtained by two-dimensional scanning, and acquiring a rotation angle of the multi-charged particle beam image using the two-dimensional image. |
| US09466459B2 |
Method for optimizing fluid flow across a sample within an electron microscope sample holder
A flow directing gasket for improving the flow of a gas or liquid across electron beam transparent membranes in environmental cells within a sample holder of an electron microscope, and uses of the sample holders comprising said flow directing gaskets. |
| US09466458B2 |
Scanning electron microscope
A scanning electron microscope suitable for imaging samples in a non-vacuum environment, the scanning electron microscope including an electron source located within an enclosure maintained under vacuum, an electron permeable membrane disposed at an opening of the enclosure separating an environment within the enclosure which is maintained under vacuum and an environment outside the enclosure which is not maintained under vacuum, the electron permeable membrane not being electrically grounded and at least one non-grounded electrode operative as an electron detector. |
| US09466456B2 |
X-ray tube with rotating anode aperture
An x-ray tube for generating a sweeping x-ray beam. A cathode is disposed within a vacuum enclosure and emits a beam of electrons attracted toward a rotating anode. The rotating anode is adapted for rotation with respect to the vacuum enclosure about an axis of rotation. At least one collimator opening or aperture corotates with the rotating anode within the vacuum enclosure, such that a swept x-ray beam is emitted. |
| US09466454B2 |
Spin rotation device
A spin device includes: a first condenser lens which focuses a spin polarized electron beam discharged from an electron gun or reflected on a sample; a spin rotator which includes a multipole having a point to which the electron beam is focused by the first condenser lens at a lens center or in the vicinity of the lens center and being capable of generating an electric field and a magnetic field; a Wien condition generating means which applies a voltage and a current which satisfy the Wien condition for rotating spin of the electron beam by a designated angle and making the electron beam advance straightly to the multipole which constitutes the spin rotator; and a second condenser lens which focuses the electron beam whose spin is rotated by the spin rotator. |
| US09466453B2 |
Cathode arrangement, electron gun, and lithography system comprising such electron gun
The invention relates to a cathode arrangement comprising: a cathode body housing an emission surface for emitting electrons in a longitudinal direction, wherein the emission surface is bounded by an emission perimeter; a focusing electrode at least partially enclosing the cathode body in a transversal direction and comprising an electron transmission aperture for focusing the electrons emitted by the emission surface, wherein the aperture is bounded by an aperture perimeter, wherein the cathode body is moveably arranged within the focusing electrode over a maximum transversal distance from an aligned position, and wherein the aperture perimeter transversally extends over the emission surface and beyond the emission perimeter over an overlap distance that exceeds the maximum transversal distance. |
| US09466452B1 |
Integrated cantilever switch
An integrated transistor in the form of a nanoscale electromechanical switch eliminates CMOS current leakage and increases switching speed. The nanoscale electromechanical switch features a semiconducting cantilever that extends from a portion of the substrate into a cavity. The cantilever flexes in response to a voltage applied to the transistor gate thus forming a conducting channel underneath the gate. When the device is off, the cantilever returns to its resting position. Such motion of the cantilever breaks the circuit, restoring a void underneath the gate that blocks current flow, thus solving the problem of leakage. Fabrication of the nano-electromechanical switch is compatible with existing CMOS transistor fabrication processes. By doping the cantilever and using a back bias and a metallic cantilever tip, sensitivity of the switch can be further improved. A footprint of the nano-electromechanical switch can be as small as 0.1×0.1 μm2. |
| US09466449B2 |
Drive circuit for n contactors and a method for driving n contactors
The disclosure provides a drive circuit for n contactors, which circuit comprises a first input and a second input as well as n first connections and n second connections, wherein a first connection and a second connection in each case can be respectively connected to one of the two connections of a drive coil of one of the n contactors in each case. According to the disclosure, the drive circuit also comprises an adjustable holding voltage source, the first pole of which is connected to the second input and the second pole of which is connected to the first of the first connections. A method for driving n contactors is also disclosed. |
| US09466444B2 |
Remote switch contact quality maintenance
A system for maintaining integrity of a switch contact includes a first resistor-capacitor circuit, a second resistor-capacitor circuit, and a control switch. The first resistor-capacitor circuit is connected to an output of the switch contact and includes a first resistor and a first capacitor. Upon closing of the switch contact, a first wetting current flows through the switch contact. The second resistor-capacitor circuit includes a second resistor and a second capacitor. The control switch is connected between the output of the switch contact and the second resistor-capacitor circuit and is selectively closable to generate a second wetting current through the switch contact. The control switch may be operated as needed to maintain the integrity of the mechanical switch contact. |
| US09466441B2 |
Trip bar stop
An operating mechanism including a number of biasing elements and a number of linkage members is provided. The linkage members are operatively coupled to each other and each are movable between a second configuration, an initial tripped configuration, a rebound configuration, and a final tripped configuration. The biasing elements are operatively coupled to the number of linkage members and bias the number of linkage members to the final, first configuration. A stop member is coupled to one of the linkage members. The stop member moves with the associated linkage member. The stop member is positioned to contact a stop surface when the linkage members are in the rebound configuration. Contact between the stop member and the stop surface substantially arrests the motion of the linkage members. |
| US09466440B2 |
Switch device with erroneous operation preventer and the erroneous operation preventer
A switch device with an erroneous operation preventer, including: a switch main body having a switch member supported by a shaft with respect to a casing and configured such that pushing a first end portion of the switch member causes a second end portion thereof to protrude and such that an on state and an off state of the switch main body are changed by pushing one of the first and second end portions; and a frame-shaped erroneous operation preventer disposed around the switch member for preventing an erroneous operation on the first end portion that takes a protruding posture when the switch main body is in one of the on and off states, the preventer having side protective walls extending in a longitudinal direction of the switch member so as to cover a surface of a flange portion of the casing on both sides of the first end portion. |
| US09466439B2 |
Laundry treating appliance and method of operation for a laundry treating appliance
A laundry treating appliance and a method operating a laundry treating appliance having at least one automatic cycle of operation, a plurality of components selectively operable by a controller to implement the at least one cycle of operation on a load of laundry received within a treating chamber of the appliance with the controller having a user interface for receiving input from a user and a door for closing an open face of the treating chamber, the method comprising determining a movement of the door in a closing direction and actuating the user interface when it is determined the door is moved in the closing direction. |
| US09466436B2 |
Aligned carbon nanotube assembly, carbon-based electrode, power storage device, and method of manufacturing aligned carbon nanotube assembly
The present invention provides an aligned carbon nanotube assembly constituted of carbon nanotubes each having a defective pore on its side surface, a method of manufacturing the aligned carbon nanotube assembly, a carbon-based electrode, and a power storage device. The aligned carbon nanotube assembly is formed by aggregating a large number of carbon nanotubes aligned in parallel along the same direction and having parallel orientation. In such a state that the aligned carbon nanotube assembly remains grown, the carbon nanotube constituting the aligned carbon nanotube assembly has a defective pore on its side surface. In a raman spectrum of the aligned carbon nanotube assembly in a Raman spectrometric method, when intensity of scattered light in D-band is represented by ID and intensity of scattered light in G-band is represented by IG, an ID/IG ratio is not less than 0.80. |
| US09466434B2 |
Dye-sensitized solar cell
Provided is a dye-sensitized solar cell which includes a working electrode having a porous titanium oxide layer on a conductive substrate, and a photosensitizing dye supported on the porous titanium oxide layer, in which the porous titanium oxide layer contains an anatase crystal-type TiO2 and a rutile crystal-type TiO2, the porous titanium oxide layer includes a plurality of layers, an outermost layer disposed at a position farthest from the conductive substrate contains the rutile crystal-type TiO2, at least one intermediate layer provided between the outermost layer and the conductive substrate contains the anatase crystal-type TiO2, a first intermediate layer disposed at a position closest to the outermost layer contains the anatase crystal-type TiO2 and the rutile crystal-type TiO2, and a content of the rutile crystal-type TiO2 in the outermost layer is greater than that of the rutile crystal-type TiO2 in the intermediate layer. |
| US09466424B2 |
Paste for external electrode, multilayer ceramic electronic component, and method of manufacturing the same
A multilayer ceramic electronic component may include: a ceramic body including a plurality of dielectric layers; internal electrodes disposed in the ceramic body and having one ends exposed to outer surfaces of the ceramic body; and external electrodes disposed on the outer surfaces of the ceramic body to be connected to the respective one ends of the internal electrodes and containing a conductive metal and a conductive ceramic powder. |
| US09466421B2 |
Resonance coupler and transmission device
A resonance coupler according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes first resonance wiring and second resonance wiring. The first resonance wiring includes first open loop wiring, first input/output wiring extending outwardly from a first connection portion of the first open loop wiring, and first stub wiring extending inwardly from a second connection portion of the first open loop wiring. The second resonance wiring includes second open loop wiring, and second input/output wiring extending outwardly from a third connection portion of the second open loop wiring. The first stub wiring includes a first connection end connected to the second connection portion and a first open end on an opposite side. A wiring length from the first connection portion to the first open end is one-quarter of a wavelength of an nth-order harmonic of a radio-frequency signal, where n is an integer not less than 2. |
| US09466419B2 |
Apparatus and system for charging a battery
An apparatus is disclosed for charging a battery of an electric or a hybrid vehicle. The apparatus includes first means for selectively coupling the battery to a high power electrical supply and second means for selectively coupling the battery to a lower power electrical supply, wherein the second means for coupling comprises a pickup pad electrically coupled to the battery. Power is transferred to the pickup pad from a charging pad by inductive power transfer. |
| US09466415B2 |
Reactor provided with a cooler
A reactor provided with a cooler, comprising: a coil, a core formed of a soft magnetic material, the core covers an inside of the coil and an outer periphery of the coil; the cooler being arranged on both sides of the core, the core and the cooler being pressed in a stacking direction of the core and the cooler; a thickness of the core in the stacking direction being smaller than a length of a height of a surface of the core that faces the stacking direction; and the thickness of the core in the stacking direction being smaller than a length of a width of the surface of the core that faces the stacking direction. |
| US09466413B2 |
Die-to-die inductive communication devices and methods
Embodiments of inductive communication devices include first and second galvanically isolated IC die and a dielectric structure. Each IC die has a coil proximate to a first surface of the IC die. The IC die are arranged so that the first surfaces of the IC die face each other, and the first coil and the second coil are aligned across a gap between the first and second IC die. The dielectric structure is positioned within the gap directly between the first and second coils, and a plurality of conductive structures are positioned in or on the dielectric structure and electrically coupled with the second IC die. The conductive structures include portions configured to function as bond pads, and the bond pads may be coupled to package leads using wirebonds. During operation, signals are conveyed between the IC die through inductive coupling between the coils. |
| US09466410B2 |
Slide-type variable resistor
A slide-type variable resistor comprises a shell, two side guiding tracks, two end locking parts, a variable resistor circuit base, and a manipulating device. The two side guiding tracks are symmetrically assembled in the allocation space. The two end locking parts are symmetrically pressing against the two side guiding tracks respectively to have the two side guiding tracks positioned in the allocation space. The variable resistor circuit base is assembled to the shell and utilized for pressing against the two end locking parts to have the two end locking parts and the two side guiding tracks fixed in the allocation space. The manipulating device comprises a brush base, at least a brush, and a bar. The brush base has two symmetrically positioned sliding tracks slidably positioned in the two side guiding tracks. The brush is connected to the brush base and has elastic recovery to press against the variable resistor circuit base. The bar is connected to the brush base and extended outward from the position restriction hole of the shell. |
| US09466409B2 |
Electrical insulation system
An electrical insulation system for a high voltage inductive device includes a cylindrical insulation barrier defining an axial direction, a longitudinal bar having a main extension in the axial direction, the longitudinal bar arranged to support the cylindrical insulation barrier along the axial direction and to provide spacing in a radial direction, and the longitudinal bar having a first side facing the cylindrical insulation barrier and a second side, opposite the first side, having a groove, and a spacer having a main extension in the radial direction, the spacer being arranged to provide spacing in the axial direction, the spacer having a groove fitting end portion. The longitudinal bar is adapted to receive the groove fitting end portion of the spacer in the groove, and wherein the spacer is dimensioned so relative to the groove that the groove captures any streamer propagating from the spacer towards the cylindrical insulation barrier. |
| US09466407B2 |
Electrical cable comprising at least one electrically insulating layer
An electrical cable has an elongate electrical conductor having, in cross section, a plurality of mutually electrically insulated segments having a plurality of metallic wires, at least one of the metallic wires in at least one of the segments being covered by at least one electrically insulating layer. The electrically insulating layer is obtained on the basis of a composition A having at least one acrylic polymer and at least one transition metal salt. |
| US09466404B2 |
Rigid/pliable sectional resin infused shielded wire harness
Electrical harnesses and methods of manufacturing electrical harnesses are disclosed. Electrical harnesses may comprise an electrically conductive wire, and a resin infused braided shield surrounding a portion of the electrically conductive wire, wherein at least a portion of the braided shield is infused with a curable resin. Electrical harnesses may comprise an electrically conductive wire, and a braided shield surrounding a portion of the electrically conductive wire, wherein at least a first portion of the braided shield comprises a first cured resin imparting rigidity to the first portion of the braided shield and at least a second portion of the braided shield that is pliable. |
| US09466403B2 |
Method for producing a flexible transparent electrode using cesium and a flexible transparent electrode produced thereby
An method for preparing a flexible transparent electrode film that has a high transmittance and low sheet resistance without having to go through a separate heating process by using cesium, and a flexible transparent electrode film prepared thereby, the method including: applying a nanowire transparent conductive film on a high molecular base material film; coating the nanowire transparent conductive film with a sol-gel solution wherein titanium dioxide and cesium are mixed; and welding the nanowire. |
| US09466402B2 |
Processes and systems for laser crystallization processing of film regions on a substrate utilizing a line-type beam, and structures of such film regions
Process and system for processing a thin film sample, as well as at least one portion of the thin film structure are provided. Irradiation beam pulses can be shaped to define at least one line-type beam pulse, which includes a leading portion, a top portion and a trailing portion, in which at least one part has an intensity sufficient to at least partially melt a film sample. Irradiating a first portion of the film sample to at least partially melt the first portion, and allowing the first portion to resolidify and crystallize to form an approximately uniform area therein. After the irradiation of the first portion of the film sample, irradiating a second portion using a second one of the line-type beam pulses to at least partially melt the second portion, and allowing the second portion to resolidify and crystallize to form an approximately uniform area therein. A section of the first portion impacted by the top portion of the first one of the line-type beam pulses is prevented from being irradiated by trailing portion of the second one of the line-type beam pulses. |
| US09466401B1 |
Tritium direct conversion semiconductor device
A device for producing electricity. The device comprises an indium gallium phosphide semiconductor material comprising a plurality of indium gallium phosphide material layers each layer having different dopant concentrations and doped with either n-type dopants or p-type dopants, a first terminal on a first surface of the semiconductor material, a beta particle source proximate the first surface for emitting beta particles that penetrate into the semiconductor material, and a second terminal on a second surface of the semiconductor material; the semiconductor material for producing current between the first and second terminals responsive to the beta particles penetrating into the semiconductor material. |
| US09466397B2 |
Indirect drive targets for fusion power
A hohlraum for an inertial confinement fusion power plant is disclosed. The hohlraum includes a generally cylindrical exterior surface, and an interior rugby ball-shaped surface. Windows over laser entrance holes at each end of the hohlraum enclose inert gas. Infrared reflectors on opposite sides of the central point reflect fusion chamber heat away from the capsule. P2 shields disposed on the infrared reflectors help assure an enhanced and more uniform x-ray bath for the fusion fuel capsule. |
| US09466394B1 |
Mismatch-compensated sense amplifier for highly scaled technology
Circuits and methods are provided for compensating an offset voltage measured between a first transistor and a second transistor of a sense amplifier circuit that is configured to sense a bit line signal during a sensing phase. The first transistor and the second transistor are cross-coupled. The first transistor is coupled to a first capacitor and the second transistor is coupled to a second capacitor. The first capacitor is further coupled to the second capacitor, and the first and second capacitors are coupled to a third transistor. The first capacitor applies a first bias voltage to the first transistor during a pre-sensing phase prior to the sensing phase, and the second capacitor applies a second bias voltage to the second transistor during the pre-sensing phase. |
| US09466393B2 |
Semiconductor device capable of rescuing defective characteristics occurring after packaging
A memory device capable of rescuing defective characteristics that occur after packaging includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells and an antifuse circuit unit including at least one antifuse. The antifuse circuit unit stores a defective cell address of the memory cell array in the at least one antifuse and reads the defective cell address to an external source. The antifuse circuit unit stores a defective characteristic code in the at least one antifuse, wherein the defective characteristic code is related to at least one of a timing parameter spec., a refresh spec., an input/output (I/O) trigger voltage spec., and a data training spec. of the memory device, and outputs the defective characteristic code to an external source. |
| US09466390B2 |
Nonvolatile memory system and programming method including a reprogram operation using a page buffer to reduce data load operations
A program method for a nonvolatile memory system including a reprogram operation that does not require a reload of first program data to page buffers of a constituent nonvolatile memory device between execution of a first coarse program step and execution of a first fine program step being performed after the execution of an intervening second coarse program step. |
| US09466386B2 |
Storage device and related programming method
A method of programming a storage device comprises determining whether at least one open page exists in a memory block of a nonvolatile memory device, and as a consequence of determining that at least one open page exists in the memory block, closing the at least one open page through a dummy pattern program operation, and thereafter performing a continuous writing operation on the memory block. |
| US09466384B1 |
Memory device and associated erase method
A memory device and an erase method for the memory device are provided. The memory device includes plural blocks and a controller. The plural blocks include at least one first block and at least one second block. The erase method is controlled by the controller and includes the following steps. A first stage erase operation and a second stage erase operation are sequentially performed on the at least one first block in a first time interval and a second time interval. The first stage erase operation and the second stage erase operation are sequentially performed on the at least one second block in the second time interval and a third time interval. |
| US09466383B2 |
Non-volatile memory and method with adaptive logical groups
A nonvolatile memory is organized into blocks as erase units and physical pages as read/write units. A host addresses data by logical pages, which are storable in corresponding physical pages. Groups of logical pages may be further aggregated into logical groups as addressing units. The memory writes host data in either first or second write streams, writing to respective blocks either logical-group by logical-group or logical-page by logical-page in order to reduce the size of logical-to-physical-address maps that are cached in a controller random-access memory (RAM). A group-level map may be used to track logical groups. A page-level map may be used to track logical pages. Only one block at a time needs be open in the second stream to accept logical pages from multiple logical groups that are active. Garbage collection is performed on the blocks from each write stream independently without data copying between the two streams. |
| US09466380B2 |
Semiconductor memory column decoder device and method
Semiconductor memory devices and methods include a flash memory cell array fabricated in a well, with memory cells in the same column connected to each other in series and connected to a respective bit line. The memory devices also include a column decoder, a data register buffer unit, a row decoder, an erase control unit, and an input/output buffer unit. In one or more embodiments, the erase control unit applies voltages to the well to erase the memory cells in a manner that avoids breaking down p-n junctions formed by transistors fabricated in the well. In another embodiment, high voltage transistors are used to selectively isolate the bit lines from and couple the bit lines to a peripheral circuit in pairs so that each high voltage transistor is shared by two bit lines. |
| US09466368B2 |
Connectible nanotube circuit
Carbon nanotube template arrays may be edited to form connections between proximate nanotubes and/or to delete undesired nanotubes or nanotube junctions. |
| US09466361B2 |
Memory devices
Some embodiments include memory devices having a wordline, a bitline, a memory element selectively configurable in one of three or more different resistive states, and a diode configured to allow a current to flow from the wordline through the memory element to the bitline responsive to a voltage being applied across the wordline and the bitline and to decrease the current if the voltage is increased or decreased. Some embodiments include memory devices having a wordline, a bitline, memory element selectively configurable in one of two or more different resistive states, a first diode configured to inhibit a first current from flowing from the bitline to the wordline responsive to a first voltage, and a second diode comprising a dielectric material and configured to allow a second current to flow from the wordline to the bitline responsive to a second voltage. |
| US09466360B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of operating the same
A method of operating a semiconductor device includes performing a program operation on selected memory cells of a selected page, and selectively performing a soft erase operation on memory cells having threshold voltages greater than a reference voltage, among the selected memory cells, to reduce a width of a threshold voltage distribution of the selected memory cells. |
| US09466358B1 |
Structure for static random access memory
A design structure can include elements that, when processed in a semiconductor manufacturing facility, produce an SRAM that includes a first local evaluator coupled to a first global bit line (GBL) and a first set of local bit lines (LBLs). The SRAM can also include a second local evaluator communicatively coupled to the first local evaluator. The second local evaluator is coupled to a second GBL and second set of LBLs. The second GBL is consecutive to the first GBL. The first and second evaluators are to generate signals from the LBLs such that one GBL of a combined first and second GBLs is active at any point in a read or write cycle. |
| US09466350B2 |
Magnetic memory device
According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory device includes a first interconnect, a second interconnect, a magnetoresistive effect element having first and second terminals, the first terminal being electrically connected to the first interconnect, a diode having first and second terminals, the first terminal being electrically connected to the first terminal of the magnetoresistive effect element, the second terminal being electrically connected to the second terminal of the magnetoresistive effect element, and a transistor having source and drain terminals, one of the source and drain terminals being electrically connected to the second terminal of the magnetoresistive effect element and the second terminal of the diode, the other of the source and drain terminals being electrically connected to the second interconnect. |
| US09466344B2 |
System and method for decoding commands based on command signals and operating state
A system and method for decoding command signals that includes a command decoder configured to generate internal control signals to perform an operation based on the command signals and an operating state. The same combination of command signals can request different commands depending on the operating state. A command is selected from a first set of operations according to the command signals when the memory system is in a first operating state and a command is selected from a second set of operations according to the command signals when the memory system is in a second operating state. |
| US09466342B2 |
Transistors with source and word line voltage adjusting circuitry for controlling leakage currents and its method thereof
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a source voltage adjustment circuit and a word line voltage adjustment circuit, which are configured to respectively supply a source voltage supply end and a word line switchingly with voltage-adjusted voltages, in response to a mode switching signal for switching between a retention state mode and an active state mode, wherein the source voltage supply end is connected to sources of MOS transistors forming a flip-flop of a memory cell, and the word line is connected to gates of access transistors. |
| US09466339B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of operating the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array having memory cells coupled to a plurality of word lines and a peripheral circuit group configured to supply a pass voltage to unselected word lines among the plurality of word lines, wherein the peripheral circuit group stepwise raises the pass voltage supplied to the unselected word lines to a target level. |
| US09466338B1 |
Pulse generator, memory device, memory system having the same, and method of controlling an internal power of the memory device
A pulse generator may include a switching control circuit suitable for compare an internal power with a reference voltage and output a comparison enable signal according to a result of the comparison. The pulse generator may include a comparison circuit suitable for measure a data variation by comparing a current data group and a previous data group, and output pre-pulse data in response to the data variation and the comparison enable signal. The pulse generator may include a pulse control circuit suitable for output main pulse data by controlling a pulse width of the pre-pulse data. |
| US09466337B1 |
Apparatuses and method for supply voltage level detection
Example apparatuses and methods may detect when one or more supply voltage levels have reached a trigger voltage. An example apparatus may include a terminal, a voltage reference circuit and a voltage detector circuit. The terminal may be configured to receive a first voltage, and the voltage reference circuit may be coupled to the terminal. The voltage reference circuit may be configured to receive the first voltage and provide a second voltage responsive, at least in part, to the first voltage. The voltage detector circuit may be configured to respond, at least in part, to the first and second voltages, and further configured to produce an output signal when the first voltage reaches a target level. The voltage detector circuit may include a first transistor including a gate configured to receive the second voltage, and a first resistor coupled in series between the terminal and the transistor. |
| US09466334B1 |
Monolithic tape head and actuator for high density recording
A monolithic tape head module for high density recording. The module includes an actuator rail, and a tape head transducer array coupled to the actuator rail that includes a plurality of tape head transducer elements. A flex circuit is electrically coupled to the tape head transducer array, and includes first electrical conductors in a first flex circuit path that are coupled to a portion of the tape head transducer elements, and second electrical conductors in a second flex circuit path that are coupled to the remainder of the tape head transducer elements. An actuator shaft is connected to the actuator rail and coupled to a motor that is operated to move the actuator shaft. A plurality of flexures are mechanically coupled to the actuator rail and operated to restrict movement of the actuator rail to a direction aligned with the longitudinal axis of the actuator rail. |
| US09466333B2 |
Content reproducing apparatus, content reproducing system, and content reproducing method
A content reproducing apparatus includes a reproducing unit configured to reproduce content including audio and video, and a power control unit configured to perform power control of the reproducing unit based on a reproducing position of the content and non-reproduction period information indicating at least one of a period during which reproduction of the audio of the content is unnecessary and a period during which reproduction of the video of the content is unnecessary. |
| US09466331B2 |
Data-providing apparatus, data-providing method and program-sorting medium
In the present invention, image data is edited in response to a demand transmitted from a data-processing apparatus through a network. A moving-picture server (3) acquires a scenario consisting of a plurality of scenes, each lasting for a given time, is acquired in response to a demand made by a personal computer (1-1). The server acquires from a temporary edition space (6) a given number of original data items that will be used in the scenario, also in response to a demand made by the data-processing apparatus. The moving-picture server (3) selects prescribed ones of the original data items acquired and allocate them to the scenes of the scenario acquired. The server corrects the original data items selected, in accordance with the prescribed image data items that have been allocated to the scenes of the scenario. The image data is thereby edited. |
| US09466328B1 |
Contact-detecting method, manufacturing method of disk drive, and disk drive
According to one embodiment, a contact-detecting method includes calculating a representative value for each of a plurality of first zones. The plurality of first zones is provided at different radial locations on the disk. The representative value is calculated based on values measured at a plurality of different radial locations included in each of the first zones. The method includes detecting a contact point at which a first member contacts with a second member based on a first difference. The first difference is a difference between a value measured at an objective measuring point and a representative value of a second zone among the plurality of first zones. The objective measuring point is included in a third zone among the plurality of first zones. The second zone is arranged radially inward of the third zone. |
| US09466327B1 |
Color coded glass disc spacer
Apparatus and method for supporting a data recording medium adjacent a spindle motor hub. In some embodiments, an annular disc spacer has a plurality of nominal dimensions and is formed of a glass material and at least one additive to provide the disc spacer with a selected color. The color of the disc spacer is selected responsive to at least one of the plurality of nominal dimension of the disc spacer. The color may have a wavelength in the human detectable range of from about 350 nanometers, nm to about 700 nm. |
| US09466325B2 |
Patterned growth guiding mechanism
Provided herein are apparatuses and methods related to creating a patterned resist layer on a substrate; selectively treating at least a resist-contacting layer of the substrate in contact with the patterned resist layer to create a patterned growth guiding mechanism and growing patterned magnetic features guided by the patterned growth guiding mechanism. |
| US09466323B2 |
Method of inspecting magnetic recording medium, and method of controlling movement of magnetic head in magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus by utilizing inspecting method
A method for moving magnetic heads in a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, which comprises the steps of writing high-frequency signals in the magnetic recording/reproducing tracks; and then, either (i) conducting DC erasing or AC erasing to inspect extra pulse signals reproduced from the erased tracks, or (ii) inspecting concurrently occurring signals of missing pulse and spike pulse, which are reproduced from the written signals, whereby minute protrusions on a surface of the tracks were detected. Reading and writing of information are conducted while the magnetic heads are moved in a manner controlled so that reading and writing of information in specific tracks having defects is avoided. This method enhances reliability and life of the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus. |
| US09466322B2 |
Ultra-low profile multidentate lubricant for use as a sub-nanometer thick lubricant layer for magnetic media
According to one embodiment, a lubricant includes a multidentate perfluoropolyether having a chemical structure of: Re—Rz—Ri—Rz—Ri—Rz—Re, where Rz includes at least one perfluoroethyl ether unit, and where Re and Ri each include at least one functional group configured to attach to a surface. According to another embodiment, the aforementioned lubricant may be suitable for use in a sub-nanometer thick lubricant layer for various applications, and particularly useful for magnetic recording media. |
| US09466318B2 |
Allowing fast data zone switches on data storage devices
Some embodiments described herein are directed to reducing or eliminating latency caused by data zone switches in a rotating magnetic storage device. More specifically, some embodiments described herein are directed to storing parameters associated with different zones in a parameter register in response to one or more received commands. |
| US09466317B2 |
Generating a reference audio fingerprint for an audio signal associated with an event
An audio identification system generates a reference audio fingerprint associated with an event. The reference audio fingerprint is generated from samples of an audio signal associated with the event captured by multiple devices. To generate the reference audio fingerprint, fingerprints are generated from each sample, and the generated fingerprints are temporally aligned. Fingerprints associated a temporally overlapping portion of the audio signal are averaged, and the average value is associated with the temporally overlapping portion of the audio signal and included in the reference audio fingerprint. The reference audio fingerprint is stored along with identifying information, such as an event name, an event time, an event date, or other information describing the event associated with the audio signal from which the samples were captured. |
| US09466315B2 |
System and method for calculating similarity of audio file
A method for calculating a similarity of audio files includes constituting a pitch sequence of a first audio file and a pitch sequence of a second audio file; calculating an eigenvector of the first audio file according to the pitch sequence of the first audio file, and calculating an eigenvector of the second audio file according to the pitch sequence of the second audio file; calculating a similarity between the first audio file and the second audio file according to the eigenvector of the first audio file and the eigenvector of the second audio file. |
| US09466314B2 |
Method for controlling functional devices in a vehicle during voice command operation
For retrofitting an infotainment system of a motor vehicle which has the option of operating using voice commands, such voice commands are subsequently defined in an SCXML file. The voice commands are assigned state transitions, which are intended to run through the functional devices after the corresponding voice command is received. The SCXML file is interpreted by an interpreter. |
| US09466313B2 |
Time warp activation signal provider, audio signal encoder, method for providing a time warp activation signal, method for encoding an audio signal and computer programs
An audio encoder has a window function controller, a windower, a time warper with a final quality check functionality, a time/frequency converter, a TNS stage or a quantizer encoder, the window function controller, the time warper, the TNS stage or an additional noise filling analyzer are controlled by signal analysis results obtained by a time warp analyzer or a signal classifier. Furthermore, a decoder applies a noise filling operation using a manipulated noise filling estimate depending on a harmonic or speech characteristic of the audio signal. |
| US09466312B2 |
Method for separating audio sources and audio system using the same
A method for separating audio sources and an audio system using the same are provided. The method introduces the concept of a residual signal to separate a mixed audio signal into audio sources, and separates an audio signal corresponding to at least two of the audio sources as a residual signal and processes the audio signal separately. Therefore, audio separation performance can be improved. In addition, the method re-separates a separated residual signal and adds the separated residual signals to corresponding audio sources. Therefore, audio sources can be separated more safely. |
| US09466309B2 |
Method and device for processing audio signal
An audio signal processing method includes following steps: playing a fundamental frequency signal by a media player; calculating a first fundamental frequency sound pressure value and a first harmonic sound pressure value of the fundamental frequency signal, and calculating a second fundamental frequency sound pressure value and a second harmonic sound pressure value of the audio signal; calculating a threshold sound pressure value according to the first fundamental frequency sound pressure value, the first harmonic sound pressure value, and the second fundamental frequency sound pressure value; and comparing the second harmonic sound pressure value and the threshold sound pressure value to generate a comparing result, and adjusting the second harmonic sound pressure value according to the comparing result. An audio signal processing device is also disclosed. |
| US09466302B2 |
Coding of spherical harmonic coefficients
In general, techniques are described for coding of spherical harmonic coefficients representative of a three dimensional soundfield. A device comprising a memory and one or more processors may be configured to perform the techniques. The memory may be configured to store a plurality of spherical harmonic coefficients. The one or more processors may be configured to perform an energy analysis with respect to the plurality of spherical harmonic coefficients to determine a reduced version of the plurality of spherical harmonic coefficients. |
| US09466296B2 |
Initiation of action upon recognition of a partial voice command
Apparatus, computer-readable storage medium, and method associated with orienting a display image are described. In embodiments, a computing device may include a speech recognition module to process and recognize a voice command and a voice command module coupled with the speech recognition module. The voice command module may be configured to select, in response to recognition of an initial portion of the voice command, a plurality of voice commands having the same initial portion. The voice recognition module may be further configured to initiate execution of or stage for execution individual voice commands of the plurality of voice commands. On recognition of the entire voice command, the voice command module may be configured to select a result of the execution of an individual voice command or initiate execution of a staged for execution voice command. |
| US09466294B1 |
Dialog management system
Techniques for facilitating transactions are described in which the system facilitating the transaction engages in natural language dialog with the user to achieve the desired result. Instead of treating successive input independently, the system maintains a dialog context in which information generated in response to recent input may be used to inform responses to further input. |
| US09466293B1 |
Speech interface system and method for control and interaction with applications on a computing system
A speech processing system which exploits statistical modeling and formal logic to receive and process speech input, which may represent data to be received, such as dictation, or commands to be processed by an operating system, application or process. A command dictionary and dynamic grammars are used in processing speech input to identify, disambiguate and extract commands. The logical processing scheme ensures that putative commands are complete and unambiguous before processing. Context sensitivity may be employed to differentiate data and commands. A multi faceted graphic user interface may be provided for interaction with a user to speech enable interaction with applications and processes that do not necessarily have native support for speech input. |
| US09466291B2 |
Voice retrieval device and voice retrieval method for detecting retrieval word from voice data
A voice retrieval device includes a processor; and a memory which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute: setting detection criteria for a retrieval word, based on a characteristic of the retrieval word, such that the higher the detection accuracy of the retrieval word or the lower the pronunciation difficulty of the retrieval word or the lower the appearance probability of the retrieval word, the stricter the detection criteria; performing first voice retrieval processing on voice data according to the detection criteria and detecting a section that possibly includes the retrieval word as a candidate section from the voice data; and performing second voice retrieval processing different from the first voice retrieval processing on each candidate section and determining whether or not the retrieval word is included in each candidate section. |
| US09466290B2 |
Systems and methods for aviation communication monitoring using speech recognition
Systems and methods for aviation communication monitoring using speech recognition are provided. In one embodiment, a method for multichannel avionics communication is provided. The method comprises: configuring a software defined radio to generate digitized audio data for a plurality of voice communication channels; audibly reproducing voice communication received over a first channel of the plurality of voice communication channels; applying a trigger word speech recognition algorithm to at least a second channel of the plurality of voice communication channels to detect a message containing a trigger word; and when a trigger word is detected, storing a communication containing the trigger word and generating an alert. |
| US09466285B2 |
Speech processing system
A method of deriving speech synthesis parameters from an input speech audio signal, wherein the audio signal is segmented on the basis of estimated positions of glottal closure incidents and the resulting segments are processed to obtain the complex cepstrum used to derive a synthesis filter. A reconstructed speech signal is produced by passing a pulsed excitation signal derived from the position of the glottal closure incidents through the synthesis filter, and compared with the input speech audio signal. The pulse excitation signal and the complex cepstrum are then iteratively modified to minimize the difference between the reconstructed speech signal and the input speech audio signal, by optimizing the position of the pulses in the excitation signal to reduce the mean squared error between the reconstructed speech signal and the input speech audio signal, and recalculating the complex using the optimized pulse positions. |
| US09466283B2 |
Sound attenuating structures
A sound attenuation panel is configured with a substantially acoustically transparent planar, rigid frame divided into a plurality of individual, substantially two-dimensional cells. A sheet of a flexible material is fixed to the rigid frame, and a plurality of platelets fixed to the sheet of flexible material such that each individual cell of the plurality of cells is provided with a respective platelet to establish a resonant frequency, the resonant frequency defined by the planar geometry of the individual cells, the flexibility of the flexible material and the platelets. The cells are divided into at least two different types of the individual cells, configured so that sound waves emitted by a first type of said different types of individual cells establishes a sound cancellation pattern with sound waves emitted by a second type of said different individual cells or an aggregation of different types of the individual cells. |
| US09466281B2 |
ANC noise active control audio headset with prevention of the effects of a saturation of the feedback microphone signal
The headset includes an active noise control, with an internal ANC microphone (28) placed inside the acoustic cavity (22) and delivering a signal including an acoustic noise component. A digital signal processor DSP (50) comprises a feedback ANC branch (54) applying a filtering transfer function (54, HFB2) to the signal delivered by the ANC microphone, and a mixer (60) for mixing the signal of the feedback branch with an audio signal to be reproduced (M). The headset comprises a movement sensor (64) mounted on one of the earphones. The DSP comprises an anti-saturation module (68) for analyzing concurrently i) the signal delivered by the internal microphone (28) and ii) the signal delivered by the movement sensor (64), and verifying whether current characteristics of these signals fulfill or not a set of predetermined criteria. Upstream from the feedback ANC filter (54), an anti-saturation filter (70, HFB1) is selectively switched as a function of the result of this verification. The filtering of an equalization branch (58, HEQ2) of the signal to be reproduced (M) is also modified by a similar anti-saturation filter (72, HEQ1). |
| US09466279B2 |
Synthetic simulation of a media recording
A method and system for generating a synthetic simulation of a media recording is disclosed. One embodiment accesses a sound reference archive and heuristically creates a new sound that is matched against at least one sound in the sound reference archive. The media recording is analyzed and a synthetic sound based on the analyzing of the media recording is generated. |
| US09466278B2 |
Systems and methods for providing immersive audio experiences in computer-generated virtual environments
Described herein are systems and method for providing an immersive audio experience in a computer-generated virtual environment. An audio-mixer is placed at a location in a domain of the virtual environment and receives a separate audio feed from each of the audio source nodes directly connected to the audio-mixer. The audio-mixer mixes the received audio feeds in dependence on corresponding location, position and intrinsic loudness information to generate a separate spatialized mixed audio feed for each of the directly connected audio listener nodes. The audio-mixer sends, to each of the audio listener nodes directly connected to the audio-mixer, the separate spatialized mixed audio feed generated for the audio listener. An audio-mixer also receives and sends non-spatialized mixed audio feeds to/from other audio-mixers. The location of the audio-mixer is preferably moved to account for audio source nodes moving and/or changes to which audio source nodes are directly connected to the audio-mixer. |
| US09466277B1 |
Adjustable directivity acoustic pickup for musical instruments
An acoustic pickup transducer device for converting sounds produced by a musical instrument into electrical signals proportional in amplitude and frequency to the instrument sounds includes a housing which has protruding therefrom a suction cup for removably attaching the device to an instrument, and a microphone interconnected through interface circuitry including a volume control potentiometer within the housing to an audio output signal jack. In a preferred embodiment, the microphone is fastened to the outer end of a flexible “gooseneck” stalk which extends from the housing at an angle adjustable by manually bending the stalk to a desired shape, which is retained by a bent wire within the stalk, thus enabling adjustment of the direction of peak sound responsivity or directivity over a wide range of angles. Preferably, the microphone is an electret type supplied with a D.C. bias voltage by a coin-cell battery within the housing. |
| US09466276B1 |
Stringed musical instrument having a resonator assembly
A stringed musical instrument having a resonator assembly is disclosed herein. The stringed musical instrument includes a musical instrument body; a neck having a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion of the neck being coupled to the musical instrument body; a plurality of strings extending from the first end portion of the neck to the musical instrument body; and a resonator assembly disposed in the musical instrument body, the resonator assembly including a resonator diaphragm and a pickup subassembly operatively coupled to the resonator diaphragm. The pickup subassembly includes a pickup body portion and an elongate piezo-film portion operatively coupled to the pickup body portion. In one or more embodiments, a first end of the elongate piezo-film portion is attached to the pickup body portion and a second end of the elongate piezo-film portion is attached to a side of the resonator diaphragm. |
| US09466274B1 |
Musical instrument
A musical instrument comprises a traditional musical instrument such as a guitar is joined to a chain saw so that the saw blade of the chain saw is mounted next to the body of the guitar. The saw chain of the chain saw is spaced from the body of the guitar so that it can rotate freely without contacting the guitar. A shield prevents the operator from contact with the saw chain. |
| US09466273B2 |
Snare cajón instrument
A snare cajón percussion instrument is disclosed. The instrument comprises a closed frame body having a plurality of sides, each side having a top portion, a bottom portion, an inner portion, and an outer portion. A rigid striking surface is securely affixed to the top portions of the plurality of sides. A snare apparatus having a brace, a fastener, and at least one snare element is securely attached to the inner portion of a first side of the frame body via the fastener and is configured to allow the snare element to alternatively contact and not contact the striking surface to produce a snare sound. The instrument may have a second striking surface that does not contact the snare apparatus and produces a cajón sound. |
| US09466259B2 |
Color management
Embodiments of techniques or systems for color management are provided herein. A graphic input may be received which includes pixels associated with color codes. Respective pixels or portions of the graphic input may be binned or indexed into color code bins. Each color code bin may be indicative or be associated with a color or color code. Sample color gradients may be assigned color codes based on counts for respective color code bins. A background or layers may be generated based on the sample color gradients. Additionally, patterns or aspects may be generated for the background or layers. In this manner, color management may be provided in the form of a dynamic, changing, or moving background which may be unique to the graphic input due to the patterns (e.g., movement patterns, shape patterns, movement speed, etc.) and sample color gradients determined based on the graphic input. |
| US09466252B2 |
Partial scanning gate driver and liquid crystal display using the same
An embodiment of the invention provides a liquid crystal display (LCD) device including a pixel array, a timing controller to output a clock signal and a gate driver. The gate driver receives the clock signal to control rows of the pixel array to be turned on or turned off. The gate driver includes a first shift register coupled to a first row of the pixel array, and a second shift register coupled to a second row of the pixel array. When the first row is determined to be skipped, the first shift register outputs a first voltage level to the first row, and when the second row is to be scanned, the second shift register outputs a second voltage level, wherein the first voltage level is between the second voltage level and a third voltage level which maintains a previously written display data. |
| US09466249B2 |
Display and operating method thereof
A display and an operating method thereof are provided. The display includes a display panel, a timing controller, and a plurality of source drivers. The source drivers are coupled to the timing controller and the display panel, and the source drivers are coupled to one another. The timing controller outputs a plurality of training packets to the source drivers. When the source drivers lock a clock of the timing controller according to the training packets, a lock signal is output to the timing controller. The timing controller outputs a plurality of color data packets and at least one latch signal to the source drivers based on the lock signal. The source drivers respectively output a plurality of pixel voltages to the display panel according to the latch signal. The training packets and the color data packets are serially transmitted to the source drivers. |
| US09466248B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of driving the same
A LCD and a method of driving the LCD are provided. The LCD includes first and second gate lines extending in a first direction, a data line insulated from the first gate line and crossing the first gate line, a pixel electrode including first and second sub-pixel electrodes, the pixel electrode being disposed in a pixel having a long side in the first direction, a first thin film transistor (TFT) connected to the first gate line, the data line, and the first sub-pixel electrode, a second TFT connected to the first gate line, the data line, and the second sub-pixel electrode, and a third TFT connected to the second gate line, the second sub-pixel electrode, and a charge-sharing capacitor, the charge-sharing capacitor sharing a data voltage applied to the second sub-pixel electrode. |
| US09466246B1 |
Display stacks with integrated ambient light sensors
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for ambient light sensing for electronic displays. In one embodiment, a device may include a light guide with a first surface and a second surface, where the light guide has a first refractive index value. The device may include a light sensor mounted on either the first surface or the second surface, the light sensor positioned such that at least a portion of ambient light incident upon the light guide is directed to a detection window of the light sensor, where the detection window has a second material having a second refractive index value. The device may include an adhesive layer configured to optically couple the light sensor to the light guide, the adhesive layer having a third refractive index value equal to or greater than the first refractive index value and equal to or less than the second refractive index value. |
| US09466242B2 |
Pixel circuit for organic light emitting diode, driving method for pixel circuit and active matrix organic light emitting diode display device
A pixel circuit, a driving method for driving the pixel circuit and a display device comprising the pixel circuit. The pixel circuit insulates the electric connection between the drain of the driving transistor and the organic light-emitting diode by the insulating transistor when the data is written into the storage capacitor, and the threshold voltage of the driving transistor and the data voltage signal are pre-stored by the storage capacitor, which can compensate the shift in the threshold voltage effectively and in turn can ensure the uniformity and stabilization of the driving current. Additionally, the touch control circuit in the embodiments of the present disclosure multiplexes the scan signal of the pixel circuit, and the coupling capacitor in the touch control circuit is charged through the charging transistor while the storage capacitor is charged, therefore an integration of the touch control circuit into the pixel circuit is achieved perfectly. |
| US09466241B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display and image compensation method
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes a substrate and a display unit. The substrate includes a flat portion and a curved portion. The display unit includes pixels configured to display an image. At least some of the pixels are disposed in association with the flat portion and at least some of the pixels are disposed in association with the curved portion. The display unit includes first driving power lines connected to the pixels disposed in association with the flat portion and second driving power lines connected to the pixels disposed in association with the curved portion. The first driving power lines are configured to transmit a first power source voltage and the second driving power lines are configured to transmit a second power source voltage. The first power source voltage and the second power source voltage are different. |
| US09466236B2 |
Dithering to avoid pixel value conversion errors
Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a method for processing an image. The method includes receiving a plurality of input pixel values associated with a video frame and determining that a first portion of pixel values included in the plurality of input pixel values is within a first set of excluded values. The method further includes dithering the first portion of pixel values to generate a first plurality of dithered values. Each dithered value included in the first plurality of dithered values is not within the first set of excluded values. Additionally, a first average pixel value associated with the plurality of input pixel values is substantially similar to a second average pixel value associated with both the first plurality of dithered values and a plurality of pixel values that are spatially proximate to the first plurality of dithered values. |
| US09466233B2 |
Antifraud device for garments and other consumer products and devices and system and method related thereto
The present invention relate to an anti-fraud return device that deters persons from temporarily using garments and or other consumer goods for a short period of time and then returning them to a merchant for a refund, exchange or credit. The present invention includes a strip of material formable into a fixed loop that may be provided with one or more security features. |
| US09466231B2 |
Solar powered illuminated sign
A solar powered sign is provided. The solar powered sign may include a panel frame. The panel frame includes an inner surface forming an inner housing, and at least one rim forming an opening leading into the housing. A translucent panel covers the opening of the panel frame. The present invention further includes internal components. The internal components may include at least one support rod and a plurality of lights. The support rod of the present invention includes a mirrored outer surface and the plurality of lights are disposed within the housing to emit light towards the support rod. The present invention further includes a solar panel electrically powering the plurality of lights. |
| US09466229B2 |
Autorejecting spliced document product
A document product includes a web having a transverse splice therein. A mask is formed near the splice and is subsequently used for automatically rejecting a spliced document. |
| US09466228B2 |
Modular frames for arrangement and orientation of geometric solids
Modular frames for instructional use that provide secure mounts for geometric solids are presented. Some contemplated modular frames can be assembled into three dimensional modular devices and are particularly suitable for instructional purposes. Modular devices comprising two or more frames could be coupled via a clip in two or more different configurations. Containers including conductive material and configured to provide a Faraday cage around their contents are also provided. |
| US09466226B1 |
General purpose device to assist the hard of hearing
An approach to notifying a person who is hard of hearing of audible events based on a configurable device. The device has microphones and associated buttons mounted on its surface. The user programs the device by depressing a selected button longer than a preconfigured time to place the device in listen mode. The user generates the desired audible event and the device records the audible event. The selected button is depressed again to instruct the device to associate the audible event with a visual alarm indicator of colored/flashing lights and/or a text projection. The device listens for the audible event and activates the visual alarm indicator when the device detects the audible event. |
| US09466225B2 |
Speech learning apparatus and method
According to one embodiment, a speech learning apparatus includes a detection unit, a first calculation unit, a generation unit, an addition unit and a speech synthesis unit. The first calculation unit calculates a score indicating a degree of emphasis of a keyword based on a type of the marker and a manner of selecting the keyword. The generation unit generates a synthesis parameter to determine a degree of reading of the keyword in accordance with the score and the type of the marker. The addition unit adds to the keyword a tag for reading the keyword in accordance with the synthesis parameter. The speech synthesis unit generates synthesized speech obtained by synthesizing speech of the keyword in accordance with the tag. |
| US09466224B1 |
Mobile modular lab
An all-in-one symmetrical mobile modular mechanical and electrical lab that may be used to explore, expose, educate and provide basic hands on training in core technical skills. The modular lab is constructed using more than seven different types of materials and a variety of fasteners to enhance the learning experience. The modular lab consists of a middle section and end sections connected by hinges. The modular lab has a design consisting of removable and interchangeable panels. Individual components are interchangeable and may be easily removed, replaced or customized. In one specialized embodiment, the modular lab may be used to simulate the mechanical operation of a typical air conditioning system. The modular lab folds in to ease transporting and is mounted on wheels which makes it easy to move. Never before has a compact mobile lab existed that allows as many as twelve (12) individuals to utilize at any given time. |
| US09466223B2 |
Mobile platform
A motion platform for use in a simulator comprising linear slides providing surge and sway, and a rotary table providing yaw. A payload carrying platform is mounted on the rotary table via three bell cranks to provide heave, pitch and roll. |
| US09466222B2 |
System and method for hybrid course instruction
Systems and methods related to providing an electronic presentation to both in-class attendees and remotely located out-of-class attendees, in which video and audio associated with the presentation is provided to the remote attendees, and out-of-class programmable systems are programmed to execute an educational exercise associated with the presentation and be remotely operated by the remote attendees. |
| US09466220B2 |
Method and on-board system for ensuring the minimum longitudinal separation distance under wake turbulent conditions
Standardized distance minima for longitudinal separation is ensured during flight of a second aircraft behind a first aircraft on take-off or landing of the aircraft on one runway or on two parallel runways located near to each other, or during flight one behind the other at near altitude levels in conditions where there is the risk of turbulence from the vortex wake of the first aircraft possibly being present along the direction of movement of the second aircraft. Continuous monitoring of the level of wake vortex flight safety of the second aircraft is carried out in a buffer zone which surrounds the aircraft and is selected on the basis of the direction of the aircraft outside the standardized distance minimum, taking into account pilot reaction time and the time for the system for controlling the second aircraft to respond to a command to change speed. |
| US09466219B1 |
Unmanned vehicle mission planning, coordination and collaboration
A system and method are provided for implementing multi-mission tracking and re-tasking for a plurality of unmanned vehicles from a central location to provide mission deconfliction and mission modification in an operating environment, including an evolving and moving operating environment, to effectively employ the plurality of locally-operated unmanned vehicles. A mission controller, operating from a centralized location, takes a provided graphical situational awareness a step further in creating, modifying, or deleting/suspending missions for one or multiple unmanned vehicles to carry out, and then to transmit the proposed mission changes to the deployed unmanned vehicle operators for validation, acceptance, and execution. A non-voice communication capability is provided for a mission controller in a centralized location to generate and transmit new mission details in a graphical format to translate to each of a plurality of fielded unmanned vehicle operators, each controlling one or more unmanned vehicles for execution. |
| US09466217B2 |
Method for supporting a driver using a portable device in a vehicle
The invention relates to a method for supporting a driver of a motor vehicle (2) while driving the vehicle (2), wherein a sound signal indicating an information generated by a driver assistance system (3) of the vehicle (2) is output by a sound output device (7, 8) of the driver assistance system (3). The method comprises receiving acoustic sound by a microphone of a portable communication device (9) and checking by the portable communication device (9) whether or not the received acoustic sound comprises the sound signal of the driver assistance system (3) as well as, upon detecting the sound signal of the driver assistance system (3), generating a display (15) on a display means (14) of the portable communication device (9) in dependence on the information extracted from the sound signal. |
| US09466211B1 |
Early warning system of emergency vehicles for alerting roadway traffic
An early warning system for alerting traffic which comprises a plurality of roadside signals, a computer, and a communications network. Each roadside signal comprises LED illumination devices, solar power sources, battery energy storage, a flexible backing, and attachment straps. The signals are activated to alert traffic to stopped responder vehicles, and can be automatically activated when a responder vehicle performs such actions as stopping or turning its emergency lights on. The system also allows for centralized user control. |
| US09466208B2 |
Device and method for identifying a collision in a medical instrument
A device and an associated method for identifying a collision in a medical instrument are provided. The device includes a carrier module of the medical instrument, a housing cladding module that is detachably connected to the carrier module at at least one connection site, and at least one switching element arranged on the carrier module at a distance from the connection site. A partial portion of the housing cladding module has a spring-like flexible design in order to be pressed in the direction of the switching element during a collision with an object. |
| US09466196B2 |
Anomalous phenomena detector
Techniques are disclosed that utilize various devices, sensors, and/or systems as data points in a transportation system to establish normal operation of the transportation system and determine when one or more of the devices, sensors, and/or systems provides anomalous data indicative of a problem in the transportation system. Identifying a problem and/or implementing a solution can then be partially or fully automated, to help ensure a quick response and minimal disruption in service. |
| US09466188B2 |
Systems and methods for haptically-enabled alarms
One illustrative computing device disclosed herein includes a processor configured to receive a signal from an alarm device, wherein the signal is associated with an event. The processor is also configured to determine a haptic effect associated with the signal and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative computing device also includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor. The haptic output device is configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect. |
| US09466186B2 |
Conditionally variable strobe notification appliance
A strobe notification device that operates based on a sensed environmental condition is disclosed. The strobe notification device includes a programmed candela setting, programmed locally at the strobe notification device or programmed remotely and sent to the strobe notification device. Based on the sensed environmental condition, one or more aspects of the operation of the strobe notification device may be modified to operate the strobe of the strobe notification device at least at the programmed candela settings. For example, the intensity, duration of the pulse, or pulse width modulation of the strobe may be modified, based on the sensed environmental condition, to produce a candela output greater than the programmed candela setting. As another example, the intensity, duration of the pulse, or pulse width modulation of the strobe may be modified, based on the sensed environmental condition, to produce a candela output that is equal to the programmed candela setting. |
| US09466182B2 |
Coordinating access to wagering game machine windows
Systems and methods coordinate requests to display content on one or more windows of a display screen of a wagering game machine. A display control process determines whether or not to honor a request to display content in accordance with an owner status of a window, a lock status of the window, a lock status of the wagering game machine, or a combination thereof. |
| US09466180B2 |
Gaming machine having a community game with side wagering
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for conducting a wagering game on a plurality of gaming machines is disclosed. The method comprises the act of triggering a community event while conducting the wagering game on the plurality of gaming machines. Two or more gaming machines are selected to participate in the community event. The community event is selected from a plurality of independent community events. The gaming system comprises a plurality of gaming machines, at least one community display, and at least one controller. The controller is operative to select the two or more gaming machines to participate in the community event, and select the community event from the plurality of independent community events to display on the at least one community display. |
| US09466177B2 |
Gaming machine, gaming system, and gaming method
In a gaming machine, a display displays images of a free game. The controller executes a game, provides a plurality of free games when a result of the game satisfies a predetermined condition, determines at least one free game to a special mode from among the plurality of free game, and determine remaining free games to a base mode, rearranges a plurality of symbols to always appear at least one special symbol on the display in the free game of the special mode, rearranges the plurality of symbols to randomly determine whether to appear the special symbol on the display in the free game of the base mode, and provides a payout determined by a winning combination of symbols appeared on the display in each free game. |
| US09466176B2 |
Systems and methods for balance transfers associated with gaming environments
Systems and methods are disclosed for selectively increasing and decreasing the balances of gaming accounts and stored value accounts. Each of the gaming account and the stored value account are associated with a player. Instructions for balance transfers can be provided by the player to a remote computing device. |
| US09466170B2 |
Networked gaming system communication protocols and methods
A system, method and apparatus for a gaming system is provided. The gaming system includes a rewards server and a separate gaming or slot accounting server. The system may further include a separate player tracking server. The system further includes one or more game machines. The game machines may include a base game, rewards tracking module, and a game management module. Further details will be apparent from the description, drawings and claims. |
| US09466168B2 |
Gaming system and method for rewarding players
A gaming system and method of rewarding players of electronic gaming machines connected by a network to a host computer which stores player-useable points at a network-accessible location, awards a personal points multiplier to a player, and applies the personal points multiplier to at least some of the points. |
| US09466166B2 |
Banknote validator
A banknote validator (1) including a banknote transport mechanism (9) and a detachable printer module (3), said printer module comprising: a media printer device (10); a print media transport passage (11) interconnecting a print media input aperture (12) and the banknote transport mechanism (9) via the media printer device (10). A first wall section (13) of the print media passage disposed between the media printer device and the banknote transport mechanism is moveable to create a vent (14) that opens to the exterior of the banknote validator. |
| US09466164B2 |
Monitoring and control device for a door unit
A monitoring and control device for a door unit includes a sensor control device comprising an output side and an input side. At least one sensor assembly is arranged in a region of the door unit. The at least one sensor assembly is connected to and controlled by the sensor control device, and is configured to measure at least one of a 3D signal and a distance signal A drive device comprises a drive control unit connected with the output side and with the input side of the sensor control device. The drive device is configured to move the door unit. |
| US09466163B2 |
Electronic access control and location tracking system
A method and system that allows authorized individuals access into controlled access locations and the ability to grant temporary and limited access to guests into these locations. The method and system allows for navigational services to be provided to members and guests, and real-time tracking and confirmation to members and administrators that guests have arrived at their destination and did not enter any unauthorized areas. The method preferably can work through a system of wireless radio, sound and/or light-based beacons communicating with member and guest's electronic devices. Members and administrators can send one or more temporary electronic access keys to a guest's smartphone or other electronic device. Wireless radio, sound and/or light-based beacons provide an access control and location tracking system with real-time data about the member and guest whereabouts, allowing for the confirmation and tracking. |
| US09466159B1 |
Methods and systems for automatically identifying a data source for an on-board recorder
Apparatuses, methods, and systems installed in a vehicle. One method includes identifying, with a processing unit installed in a vehicle, one of a plurality of data sources providing vehicle data over a communication interface in the vehicle, wherein the plurality of data sources provide vehicle data from at least two different vehicle control modules. The method also includes incrementing, with the processing unit, a counter associated with the one of the plurality of data sources, comparing, with the processing unit, the counter to a threshold, setting, with the processing unit, the one of the plurality of data sources as an active data source for receiving vehicle data when the counter exceeds the threshold, and processing the vehicle data received provided by the one of the plurality of data sources. |
| US09466157B2 |
Wheel alignment measurement
A method of onboard determination of vehicle wheel alignment is provided. In a first step, a lateral acceleration signal is generated, using an accelerometer mounted on the vehicle wheel. In a second step, a first lateral acceleration value ay Acc is derived from a first portion of the lateral acceleration signal, which is during a longitudinal acceleration a0 of the vehicle. In a third step, a second lateral acceleration value ay CS is derived from a second portion of the lateral acceleration signal, which is measured when the longitudinal acceleration has ceased and the vehicle is travelling at constant speed. In a fourth step, the magnitude of the longitudinal acceleration a0 associated with the first portion of the lateral acceleration signal is measured. In a fifth step, a toe angle α of the vehicle wheel is determined according to the following relationship: α = arcsin ( a Y Acc - a Y CS - a 0 cos ( arcsin ( a Y CS g ) ) ) · 180 π where g is the gravitational acceleration constant. |
| US09466155B2 |
System to view automobile diagnostic information
A system has a Link device coupled to an on-board diagnostics (OBD) system of a vehicle, the Link device enabled to monitor trouble codes presented by the OBD system, and having a port enabled to transmit to and receive from external devices, a mobile communication device, the device having a display screen, and an application (App) executing on the mobile communication device from a non-transitory medium. The Link device receives trouble codes from the vehicle OBD system and transmits them to either to the App or to an Internet-connected server, where the trouble codes are associated with the issues they represent, and wherein the App, having associated the trouble codes with the issues or having received the association data from the server, presents a display to the driver comprising at least the problem represented by the problem code and suggested action to correct the problem. |
| US09466151B2 |
Bracket-slot-to-wire play compensation archwire design
A method and workstation are described for designing compensation in an orthodontic archwire in order to offset the bracket-slot-to-wire play and realize the disered displacement in a tooth from an initial position to the target position. Bracket-slot-to-wire play can reduce the effectiveness of an archwire in bringing the teeth of an orthodontic patient from malocclusion to desired target. Bracket-slot-to-wire play is the difference in volume between the size of a bracket slot, which is larger than the size of the archwire, and the size of the sliding segment of an archwire inserted in the bracket slot. Customized archwires comprise alternating sliding segments interconnected by segments with bends and/or twists in three-dimensional space. The sliding segments are placed in the bracket slots and exert forces on the brackets created by the segments with bends and/or twists for moving the teeth towards the target positions. |
| US09466149B2 |
Lighting of graphical objects based on environmental conditions
To provide digital maps on a portable device, a graphical representation of an object is displayed for display on a digital map, current orientation of the portable device relative to the sun is determined, and orientation of the graphical representation of the object relative to a virtual sun is determined based on the determined current orientation of the portable device relative to the sun. Using the virtual sun as a light source, a shadow cast by the graphical representation is generated for display on the digital map. |
| US09466143B1 |
Geoaccurate three-dimensional reconstruction via image-based geometry
A technique for generating a three-dimensional reconstruction of a scene involves generating a high-fidelity point cloud representing a three-dimensional reconstruction of a scene from two-dimensional images generated by at least one sensor whose position and orientation are known relative to a fixed coordinate system for each of the images. The high-fidelity point cloud is generated in a relative coordinate system without regard to the position and orientation of the sensor(s). A low-fidelity point cloud is generated in the fixed coordinate system from the two-dimensional images using the position and orientation of the sensor(s) relative to the fixed coordinate system. A transformation between the relative and fixed coordinate systems is determined based on a relationship between points in the high-fidelity and low-fidelity point clouds, and the high-fidelity point cloud is converted from the relative coordinate system to the fixed coordinate system by applying the transformation to the high-fidelity point cloud. |
| US09466142B2 |
Facial movement based avatar animation
Avatars are animated using predetermined avatar images that are selected based on facial features of a user extracted from video of the user. A user's facial features are tracked in a live video, facial feature parameters are determined from the tracked features, and avatar images are selected based on the facial feature parameters. The selected images are then displayed are sent to another device for display. Selecting and displaying different avatar images as a user's facial movements change animates the avatar. An avatar image can be selected from a series of avatar images representing a particular facial movement, such as blinking. An avatar image can also be generated from multiple avatar feature images selected from multiple avatar feature image series associated with different regions of a user's face (eyes, mouth, nose, eyebrows), which allows different regions of the avatar to be animated independently. |
| US09466141B2 |
System for providing three-dimensional digital animation viewer and method thereof
A method for providing a three-dimensional (3D) digital cartoon viewer comprises the steps of: converting a specific, user-selected 2D digital cartoon into a 3D digital cartoon and storing the 3D digital cartoon; producing a camera-directed 3D digital cartoon by storing user-generated camera walking data in corresponding frames of the 3D digital cartoon; and displaying the camera-directed 3D digital cartoon on the user terminal. The user can freely adjust a rotation angle and store live camera walking data in respective frames. Camera walking data directed by the user's experiences can be stored and shared with, or recommended to, a third party, and the degree of immersion and the degree of realism in the 3D digital cartoon can be improved using visual effects. |
| US09466140B2 |
System and method for making a map
A system and method for making a map is herein disclosed. In this embodiment, the method for making a map can comprise the steps storing in a map file within a data store a first set of shapes that together define a geographic region, and storing in the data store data related to a landmark at least partially within the geographic region. The shapes each comprising a unique track code. Additionally, the method further comprising the steps associating the landmark with each of the shape files comprising a relationship to the landmark and displaying on a map of the geographic region, visual representations of the attributes. The display viewable on a computer screen. |
| US09466139B2 |
Map obtaining method
A method for obtaining a map comprises: capturing a map image from a physical map, obtaining a plurality of geographical coordinates corresponding to a plurality of reference points from one of the physical map and the map image, calculating a corresponding geographical coordinate of each pixel in the map image, and embedding a relationship between each pixel and its corresponding geographical coordinate into the map image. |
| US09466138B2 |
Attribute-based stacking for diagrams
A system and method for facilitating adjusting a displayed representation of a visualization. An example method includes displaying a first visualization that includes plural nodes; providing a first user option to specify a first node attribute; and stacking nodes of the first visualization based on the first node attribute, resulting in display of one or more stacks of nodes. In a more specific embodiment, one or more links connect one or more of the plural nodes to one or more other nodes of the plural nodes. The method further includes adjusting the first visualization to illustrate the one or more stacks of nodes, while preserving any links, resulting in display of a second visualization in response thereto. The step of adjusting further includes animating a transition between display of the first visualization and display of the second visualization. |
| US09466137B2 |
Spiral CT systems and reconstruction methods
The present disclosure discloses a spiral CT system and a reconstruction method thereof. In some embodiments, it is proposed that data missing due to a large pitch is compensated by weighting the complementary projection data of the projection data obtained using the spiral CT system. After the data is complemented, the projection data is rebinned as cone parallel beam data, cone-angle cosine weighting and one-dimensional filtering are implemented on the rebinned data, and parallel beam back projection is finally implemented on the filtered data, to obtain the reconstructed images. In some embodiments, with the above method, the speed of the belt can be increased by more than one time in a case that the existing area of the detectors and the existing speed of the slip ring are unchanged, thereby improving the pass rate of the luggage and maintaining the quality of the reconstructed images unchanged. |
| US09466131B2 |
Medical image processing device
A medical image processing device according to an embodiment includes a first reconstruction unit, a second reconstruction unit, and an image combining unit. The first reconstruction unit generates a first reconstructed image on the basis of an X-ray collection image using a first reconstruction filter. The second reconstruction unit generates a second reconstructed image on the basis of the X-ray collection image, using a second reconstruction filter having a high-frequency emphasis effect more than that of the first reconstruction filter. The image combining unit combines the first reconstructed image with the second reconstructed image. |
| US09466130B2 |
Systems and methods for enhancing displayed images
A method of enhancing an image includes displaying an image, receiving eye-tracking information associated with the displayed image, and identifying a region of interest in the displayed image using the eye tracking information. The method further includes enhancing the region of interest and displaying the enhanced region of interest adjacent to or superimposed upon an unenhanced region of the displayed image. |
| US09466129B2 |
Apparatus and method of processing background image of medical display image
Image processing apparatus comprises a memory unit configured to store medical data, and a data processing unit configured to receive medical data from the memory unit and comprising an image generation unit configured to generate a medical display image, the medical display image comprising a background region image and a foreground image derived from the medical data, wherein a brightness of the background image changes in a region between a boundary of the background region and a periphery of the medical display image. |
| US09466124B2 |
Compression using index bits in MSAA
A palette compressed representation may be stored in the index bits, when that is possible. The savings are considerable in some embodiments. In uncompressed mode, the data uses 2304 (2048+256) bits, and in compressed mode, the data uses 1280 bits. However, with this technique, the data only uses the index bits, (e.g. 256 bits) with a 5:1 compression improvement over the already compressed representation, and with respect to the uncompressed representation it is a 9:1 compression ratio. |
| US09466117B2 |
Segmentation highlighter
A method includes segmenting a region of interest in imaging data in a visual presentation of the imaging data and visually highlighting, concurrently with the segmenting, the region of interest while the region of interest is being segmented, wherein the visual highlighting includes coloring the region of interest while the region of interest is being segmented. A computer readable storage medium encoded with computer readable instructions, which, when executed by a processer, causes the processor to: segment a region of interest in imaging data in a visual presentation of the imaging data and visually highlight, concurrently with the segmenting, the region of interest while the region of interest is being segmented, wherein the visual highlighting includes coloring the region of interest while the region of interest is being segmented. |
| US09466105B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging white matter hyperintensities region recognizing method and system
A magnetic resonance imaging white matter hyperintensities region recognizing method and system are disclosed herein. The white matter hyperintensities region recognizing method includes receiving and storing a FLAIR MRI image, a spin-lattice relaxation time weighted MRI image, and a diffusion weighted MRI image. Registration and fusion are preformed, and a white matter mask is determined. An intersection image of the FLAIR MRI image and the white matter mask is taken, a first region is determined after normalizing the intersection image, a cerebral infarct region is removed from the first image through the diffusion weighted MRI image, and then a determination is made as to whether to remove a remaining region in order to form a white matter hyperintensities region in the FLAIR MRI image. |
| US09466104B2 |
Reading test strip with multiple reaction areas under different exposures or light intensities
A method is provided for a computing device with an imaging device to detect a characteristic of an analyte in a specimen sample from a specimen test strip with reaction areas that have colors based on the characteristic of the analyte in different ranges of values. The method includes capturing images of the specimen test strip under different exposures or light intensities, selecting an image comprising captured reaction areas that have a proper exposure or a proper lighting intensity from the images, selecting a captured reaction area from the image, and correlating a color of the captured reaction area to a value of the characteristic of the analyte. |
| US09466103B2 |
Biomarker evaluation through image analysis
A method for determining whether a test biomarker is a stain for a type of cell component, such as membrane or nucleus, involves performing various segmentation processes on an image of tissue stained with the test biomarker. One segmentation process searches for a first cell component type, and another segmentation process searches for a second cell component type by segmenting only stained pixels. The test biomarker is identified as a stain for each component type if the process identifies the component based only on stained pixels. Whether the test biomarker is a membrane stain or nucleus stain is displayed on a graphical user interface. In addition, the method identifies stained pixels corresponding to a second cell component using pixels determined to correspond to a first cell component. An expression profile for the test biomarker is then displayed that indicates the proportion of stained pixels in each type of cell component. |
| US09466100B2 |
Focus monitoring method using asymmetry embedded imaging target
A method for monitoring mask focus includes measuring profile asymmetries in a target feature including sub-resolution assist features and deriving a focus response based on a known correlation between the profile and focus of a corresponding mask. A computer system in a lithographic process may adjust mask focus based on such derived information to conform to a desired fabrication process. |
| US09466097B2 |
Apparatus and method for removing fog in image
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for removing fog in an image capable of providing a defogged image without a sense of difference by adaptively controlling defogging parameters in response to a density of fog to remove fog. |
| US09466095B2 |
Image stabilizing method and apparatus
Provided are an image stabilizing method and apparatus, which are capable of performing robust operations in a moving environment. The image stabilizing apparatus includes: an image pre-processor configured to receive a current image and a reference image corresponding to the current image; a feature point selector configured to select at least one feature point corresponding to a background from a plurality of feature points, comprising the background and at least one moving object, in the reference image; a motion estimator configured to estimate a motion of a current image, based on the selected feature point in the reference image and at least one corresponding feature point, corresponding to the selected feature point in the reference image, in the current image; and an image corrector configured to generate a stabilized current image by converting the current image by using the estimated motion. |
| US09466091B2 |
Atomic memory update unit and methods
In an aspect, an update unit can evaluate condition(s) in an update request and update one or more memory locations based on the condition evaluation. The update unit can operate atomically to determine whether to effect the update and to make the update. Updates can include one or more of incrementing and swapping values. An update request may specify one of a pre-determined set of update types. Some update types may be conditional and others unconditional. The update unit can be coupled to receive update requests from a plurality of computation units. The computation units may not have privileges to directly generate write requests to be effected on at least some of the locations in memory. The computation units can be fixed function circuitry operating on inputs received from programmable computation elements. The update unit may include a buffer to hold received update requests. |
| US09466087B2 |
Meter data management testing
Examples of meter data management testing are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computing device may include one or more processors, a memory for storing machine readable instructions, and a data store. The computing device may further include a meter data management testing module stored in the memory and executing on at least one of the one or more processors to test a meter data management system using a data set of representative metering data and a user-generated test scenario specifying a plurality of metering parameters. |
| US09466086B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for affecting user associations in over the top (OTT) service platforms
According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for affecting user associations in over the top (OTT) service platforms. The method includes receiving a first message for initiating associations or disassociations between a first user and a second user of over the top (OTT) service platforms. The OTT service platforms are controlled and operated by distinct entities. The method also includes determining, using at least one of information in the first message and stored information, the OTT service platforms in which associations are to be established or disestablished. The method further includes sending at least a second message for establishing or disestablishing an association between the first user and the second user in the OTT service platforms. |
| US09466085B2 |
System and method for facilitating transportation of a vehicle involved in a crash
A system, method, and computer-readable medium to facilitate treatment of a damaged vehicle by gathering crash information, estimating an extent of vehicle damage, and requesting transport of the damaged vehicle from the crash site to a treatment facility. |
| US09466084B2 |
Environmental, social and corporate governance linked debt instruments
Systems and techniques for structuring and analyzing a fixed-income security are disclosed. The fixed-income security includes a coupon that provides at least a variable rate of interest payment over a time interval. The variable rate of interest payment may be based at least in part on a set of environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) goals defined for an issuer over the time interval. A set of ESG values associated with performance of the issuer and corresponding to the set of ESG goals may be reported, independently audited, and used to determine the variable rate of interest payment provided by the security. |
| US09466082B1 |
Vending machine with user ID/age verification system and associated method
A system, method and computer program product offers vending machine merchandise located within a vending machine network by performing the following process: a host server of the vending machine network receiving from a first user, located at a primary keen merchandise vending machine, a request to purchase a merchandise; in response to receiving the request, the host server locating the merchandise at a secondary keen merchandise vending machine remotely located from the primary keen merchandise vending machine; the host server communicating the request to a second user belonging to a friendship network of the first user; upon receiving from the second user an acceptance to the offer, the host server notifying the first user that the acceptance of the offer was received; and the host server receiving confirmation that the second user delivered the merchandise to the first user at the pre-defined location. |
| US09466078B2 |
Systems and methods for indicating the existence of accessible information pertaining to articles of commerce
A system and method are provided for indicating an existence of a link to information pertaining to an article of commerce. The present disclosure provides for downloading a look-up table from a server database to a mobile device via a communication network. The look-up table is configured to store a plurality of UPC numbers associated with a plurality of articles of commerce and a plurality of information link indicators. Each information link indicator is associated with a respective UPC number and article of commerce and indicates the existence of a link via the communication network to information pertaining to the respective article of commerce. The mobile device allows a consumer to immediately determine if product information is available for a particular article of commerce, via a visual or audible indication on the mobile device, without access to the communication network. |
| US09466076B2 |
Location blocking service from a web advertiser
Location-blocking and identity-blocking services that can be commercially offered by a service provider, e.g., a cellular service provider or a web advertiser. In the identity-blocking service, the service provider may disclose the current physical location of a mobile subscriber (i.e., a cellular phone operator) to a third party (e.g., a web advertiser) subscribing to the identity-blocking service. However, the service provider may not send any identity information for the mobile subscriber to the third party. On the other hand, in the location-blocking service, the service provider may disclose the mobile subscriber's identity information to the third party, but not the current physical location of the mobile subscriber. Blocking of the mobile subscriber's identity or location information may be desirable for privacy reasons, to comply with a government regulation, or to implement a telecommunication service option selected by the mobile subscriber. |
| US09466073B2 |
Targeting an aggregate group
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, for providing content. A method includes receiving a request for an advertisement to be displayed in a slot associated with a third-party content site; identifying a relevant advertisement to be provided in the slot; determining information to be included in an annotation associated with the advertisement, the annotation including customized information to be presented along with the advertisement; providing the advertisement responsive to the request including providing the annotation along with a control for re-publishing the advertisement along with the relevant advertisement; receiving user input selecting the control and designating the advertisement for re-publishing to a group, the group being designated by the user; and targeting additional content to the group based on the received user input. |
| US09466069B2 |
Enhanced campaign management systems and methods
One exemplary embodiment of the disclosure provides a method to publish campaign data in an electronic environment. The exemplary method includes querying a database to select campaign metadata ready to publish to a target channel system and determining a plurality of value users as a subset of all end users. The value users are determined so that one or more coupons are automatically generated and distributed to each of the value users. A value of the coupon is based on a set of pre-defined criteria including a volume of business generated by the value user or how negatively impacted the value user was based on a negative purchase experience (e.g., product not as described or never received). The target channel system is selected from a plurality of channel systems based on a target indicating attribute of the campaign metadata. The packaged campaign metadata is transferred to the target channel system. |
| US09466066B2 |
Adaptive gathering of structured and unstructured data system and method
Content is obtained from a webpage accessed via a URI, which URI is obtained from a URI queue. The content is parsed for price and product information according to a parse map, with the resulting parse result being stored. The priority of URIs in the URI queue is adjusted based on analysis of the parse result for changes in price and product attributes and according to other criteria. The parse map may be one associated with the URI or a general purpose parse maps. The parse result may be validated by human- and machine-based systems, including by graphically labeling price and product information in the content for human confirmation or correction. |
| US09466065B2 |
Integrating usage information with operation of a system
Usage information relating to interaction with content is integrated with operation of a system, such as a content management system. The usage information is collected, stored and provided to the system. The usage information may be integrated with the operation of the system in many different ways (e.g. recommendations for other content, most viewed content, most “liked” content, content viewed by a type of user, and the like). The usage information may also be used to adjust different operations of the service. For example, the usage information may be used to adjust: a retention time of content (e.g. don't delete a recently viewed document), a crawl policy of content; a backup policy of content; restore schedules; identification of storage tier levels; and the like. |
| US09466064B2 |
System and method for locating desired traits in resources using a network
A system and method updates a consumer's preference information not only as a result of explicit preference information received from the consumer, but also resulting from actions of the user. |
| US09466057B2 |
RF presentation instrument with sensor control
A presentation instrument is described which includes an input sensor, a memory unit, and an antenna configured to wirelessly transmit and receive data. The antenna is configured to receive a request for data stored on the memory unit, and may also be configured to induce a voltage from a magnetic field to power the presentation instrument. The input sensor may control whether the presentation instrument can be so powered from the magnetic field. Alternatively, input from the input sensor may otherwise control the functionality of the presentation instrument. By way of example, an input received by the input sensor may be transmitted in addition to the requested data. Additionally, a system is described to process the requested data and additional input data, in accordance with a rules data store. |
| US09466054B1 |
Interoperable systems and methods for peer-to-peer service orchestration
Systems and methods are described for performing policy-managed, peer-to-peer service orchestration in a manner that supports the formation of self-organizing service networks that enable rich media experiences. In one embodiment, services are distributed across peer-to-peer communicating nodes, and each node provides message routing and orchestration using a message pump and workflow collator. Distributed policy management of service interfaces helps to provide trust and security, supporting commercial exchange of value. Peer-to-peer messaging and workflow collation allow services to be dynamically created from a heterogeneous set of primitive services. The shared resources are services of many different types, using different service interface bindings beyond those typically supported in a web service deployments built on UDDI, SOAP, and WSDL. In a preferred embodiment, a media services framework is provided that enables nodes to find one another, interact, exchange value, and cooperate across tiers of networks from WANs to PANs. |
| US09466049B2 |
Analyzing activity patterns in online communities
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for analyzing patterns and trends in online communities, and more particularly to organizing and analyzing data from community collaboration platforms and websites such as wikis, mailing lists, bug trackers, project management tools, and version control systems. At least one collaboration space can contain and store topics which can be submitted to and accessible by a plurality of users. The plurality of users can start new topics or add to existing topics within the at least one collaboration space. The at least one collaboration space can organize data within the topics according to various attributes of the data and the topics. The at least one collaboration space can send the organized data to a dashboard, which can create data organization aids to analyze the data. |
| US09466046B1 |
Inventorying item(s) within an environment
Systems and apparatuses (e.g., mobile robots) including sensor systems, and methods involving sensor systems are provided. In one method, a region of an environment is surveyed using a sensor system to provide survey data. This survey data may be indicative of one or more items located within the surveyed region of the environment. One of more of the items located within the surveyed region may be inventoried based on the survey data. |
| US09466044B2 |
Use of organization chart to direct mail items from central receiving area to organizational entities using clusters based on a union of libraries
Apparatus, methods, media and code for routing a mail item are provided. The apparatus may include a processor device; and machine readable memory. The processor device may be configured to: assign a unique destination identifier to an organizational entity; aggregate into an aggregate documents that were addressed to the entity and received by the entity; and store in the machine readable memory the unique destination identifier and a library that includes unique terms in the aggregate. |
| US09466041B2 |
User selected flow graph modification
A computer implemented method and apparatus display an information integration flow graph, receive user input selecting a modification to apply to the displayed information integration flow graph and modify the information integration flow graph based on the selected modification to form a modified information integration flow graph, wherein the modified information integration flow graph is displayed. |
| US09466039B2 |
Task assignment using ranking support vector machines
A method of ranking workers for an incoming task includes recording a list of completed tasks in a computer data structure, extracting first attributes from the list for the tasks that were completed during a pre-determined period, generating a first feature vector for each task and worker from the first extracted attributes, training a Support Vector Machine (SVM) based on the feature vector to output a weight vector, extracting second attributes from an incoming task, generating a second feature vector for each worker based on the second extracted attributes, and ranking the workers using the second feature vectors and the weight vector. The first attributes may be updated during a subsequent period to re-train the SVM on updated first feature vectors to generate an updated weight vector. The workers may be re-ranked based on the second feature vectors and the updated weight vector. Accordingly, the feature vectors are dynamic. |
| US09466038B2 |
Worksite monitoring and management systems and platforms
A platform comprising sensing devices, servers and mobile devices for monitoring conditions of objects on worksites. Potential violations of operation rules are alarmed to avoid damage, collision, and disaster. Emergency is detected and responded to operating staff members in charge. |
| US09466036B1 |
Automated reconfiguration of shared network resources
A resource manager can adjust the amount of capacity in each of a plurality of resource pools using a combination of proactive and reactive approaches. Targets such as an amount of total capacity and an amount of free capacity can be forecast and periodically compared against actual capacity and usage of the pools. A pool balancing algorithm can be used to shift capacity among pools as needed, in order to provide the targeted amount of capacity for each pool before the capacity is needed. When actual usage varies sufficiently from the forecasted usage on which the targets are based, the resource manager can react by reconfiguring resources as needed. |
| US09466035B2 |
Systems and methods for leveraging social queuing to facilitate event ticket distribution
A method for identifying a simulated social media account history is provided. The method may include querying a social media identification information (“social media ID”) to determine whether the account history includes one or more parameters that indicate whether the social media ID is related to an automated entity or a human entity. The parameters may include at least one of less than a threshold number of friends on the account. The parameters may include more than a threshold frequency of historic ticket purchases per unit time. The parameters may also include disparate location of historic ticket purchases per unit time. The parameters may also include a historic record of less than a threshold reaction time to a plurality of ticket offers. |
| US09466031B1 |
Data-agnostic methods and systems for ranking and updating beliefs
This disclosure is directed to computational, closed-loop user feedback systems and methods for ranking or updating beliefs for a user based on user feedback. The systems and methods are based on a data-agnostic user feedback formulation that uses user feedback to automatically rank beliefs for a user or update the beliefs. The methods and systems are based on a general statistical inference model, which, in turn, is based on an assumption of convergence in user opinion. The closed-loop user feedback methods and systems may be used to rank or update beliefs prior to inputting the beliefs to a recommender engine. As a result, the recommender engine is expected to be more responsive to customer environments and efficient at deployment and reducing the level of unnecessary user recommendations. |
| US09466030B2 |
Implementing stochastic networks using magnetic tunnel junctions
Embodiments of the invention relate to implementing a probabilistic graphical model (PGM) using magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs). One embodiment comprises a memory array of magnetic tunnel junctions and a driver unit for programming the memory array to represent a probabilistic graphical model. The magnetic tunnel junctions are organized into multiple subsets of magnetic tunnel junctions. The driver unit selectively applies an electrical pulse to a subset of magnetic tunnel junctions to program information representing a probabilistic belief state in said subset of magnetic tunnel junctions. |
| US09466028B2 |
Rule-based network diagnostics tool
A system may be configured to receive performance information regarding a set of network devices; compare the performance information to a set of rule objects; and detect an occurrence of a particular network event. The detecting may include determining that the performance information, associated with a particular network device, of the set of network devices, meets the set of conditions associated with a particular rule object with which the particular network event is associated. The system may further present information regarding the particular rule object, such as information regarding the particular network event, and information regarding a recommendation regarding the particular network event. |
| US09466026B2 |
Rule assignments and templating
Various implementations for assigning rules and creating rules using templates are described herein. In one example implementation, a model is determined, one or more components of the model are determined, a rule from a set of one or more predefined rules is determined, and the rule is assigned to the model. The rule has one or more parameters matching the one or more components of the model. |
| US09466024B2 |
Learning health systems and methods
A learning health system and associated methods are provided. Biochemical assays are conducted at scheduled intervals on blood samples taken from an individual to provide, for each of a plurality of biochemical parameters, a time series of values representing the individual. Clinical parameters associated with the individual are extracted from a knowledge base. Genomic parameters are determined for the individual. An expected time series is calculated for each of a plural subset of the plurality of biochemical parameters from at least the clinical parameters and the genomic parameters. For each of the plural subset of biochemical parameters, the time series of values representing the individual is compared to the calculated expected time series to determine a likelihood of each of a plurality of conditions for the individual. The likelihood of at least one of the plurality of conditions is communicated to a user. |
| US09466023B1 |
Data mining technique with federated evolutionary coordination
Roughly described, a data mining arrangement for developing high quality classifiers using an evolutionary algorithm, includes a plurality of “mid-chain” evolutionary coordinators, down-chain of a main (top-chain) evolutionary coordinator and up-chain of evolutionary engines. Multiple levels of mid-chain evolutionary coordinators can be used in a hierarchy, and the various branches of the hierarchy need not have equal length. Each evolutionary coordinator (other than the top-chain evolutionary coordinator) appears to its up-chain neighbor as if it were an evolutionary engine, though it does not actually perform any evolution itself. Similarly, each evolutionary coordinator (including the top-chain evolutionary coordinator) also appears to its down-chain neighbors as a top-chain evolutionary coordinator. Each mid-chain evolutionary coordinator maintains its own local candidate pool, reducing the load on the top-chain evolutionary coordinator pool, as well as reducing bandwidth requirements. Only the evolutionary engines perform actual testing of candidate individuals on training data. |
| US09466016B2 |
Image forming apparatus which forms image data indicating whether a pixel is for a character or line
An apparatus includes an image-processing-unit that generates tag information indicating whether each of pixels of a first-resolution image data is a pixel of a character or a line, a resolution-converting-unit that converts the first-resolution image data to image data with a second resolution higher than the first resolution, and a light-source-driving-unit that drives light-source according to the second-resolution image data. The resolution-converting-unit includes an image-matrix-acquiring-unit that acquires an image matrix being image data and tag information with the first resolution in an area containing a target-pixel and pixels around the target-pixel, a pattern-matching-unit that determines whether the target-pixel is a pixel of an edge of a character or a line based on the image matrix, and a first-converting-unit that, when the pixel is the edge pixel, converts the image data to image data with the second resolution of a pattern determined in accordance with a layout of the target-pixel. |
| US09466015B2 |
Asynchronous group processing using z-banding
Methods, apparatus, and computer readable media are provided for generating an intermediate representation of a page description. The page description comprises graphic commands updating a graphics state. From graphic commands, a first sequence of graphic commands is determined. A graphics state is associated with at least one subsequent second graphic command being invariant under first sequence of graphic commands. A first display list representation is generated using first sequence of graphic commands. A second display list representation is generated using second graphic command concurrently with generating first display list representation. The second display list representation is generated independently from first sequence of graphic commands. The intermediate representation of the page description is generated using first display list representation and second display list representation. At least one portion in intermediate representation is affected by first sequence of graphic commands and second graphic command. |
| US09466004B2 |
Adaptive color correction for pill recognition in digital images
A system and method for correcting colors in an image in order to identify pills. The system includes a surface that includes a background upon which pills are positioned and a border of known color adjacent to the background. The system also includes a digital camera and a processor. The processor is used to receive and process the image, use target objects on the surface to identify areas of the image that correspond to the known characteristics and features of the surface, perform image diagnostics to determine if the image can be used, and correct image color based on comparison of identified areas of the image that correspond with the known characteristics and features of the surface. Various graphical displays or cues can assist a user in obtaining a usable image. |
| US09466002B2 |
Real-time system for aiding drivers during vehicle backup and image capture and transmitter unit for use therein
A real-time surveillance system for aiding vehicle drivers and portable first unit for use therein is provided. The unit includes an image sensor that generates a sequence of images from received light. The system further includes a support to detachably support the unit on the vehicle so that the sensor is capable of receiving light from obstacles, hazards or individuals located in a blind spot region of the vehicle. A display is supported on the vehicle so that the images are viewable by a driver of the vehicle in real time. The system further includes a mechanism to authenticate a person desirous of using the system or removing the unit from the vehicle as an authorized person based, at least in part, on an authenticator. The authenticator includes at least one of a password, a passphrase, a personal identification number, a security token, a security card, and a biometric identifier. |
| US09466000B2 |
Dynamic Bayesian Networks for vehicle classification in video
A system and method for classification of passenger vehicles and measuring their properties, and more particularly to a stochastic multi-class vehicle classification system, which classifies a vehicle (given its direct rear-side view) into one of four classes Sedan, Pickup truck, SUV/Minivan, and unknown, and wherein a feature pool of tail light and vehicle dimensions is extracted which feeds a feature selection algorithm to define a low-dimensional feature vector, and the feature vector is then processed by a Hybrid Dynamic Bayesian Network (HDBN) to classify each vehicle. |
| US09465998B2 |
Object detecting device and object detecting method
An object detecting device includes an image acquiring unit which acquires an image from a camera, a scanning interval calculating unit which calculates a scanning interval when a scanning window is scanned on the image based on a size on the image of a detection object that is detected by the detecting window, a scanning unit which scans on the image using the scanning interval that is calculated by the scanning interval calculating unit, and a detecting unit which determines whether the detection object is present within the scanned detecting window. |
| US09465997B2 |
System and method for detection and tracking of moving objects
A method implemented using a processor based device is disclosed. The method includes receiving a video stream comprising a plurality of image frames having at least one moving object, determining a difference between at least two image frames among the plurality of image frames and generating a difference image comprising a plurality of image blobs corresponding to the at least one moving object. The method further includes generating a plurality of bounding boxes, each bounding box surrounding at least one corresponding image blob among the plurality of image blobs, and determining a subset of bounding boxes among the plurality of bounding boxes, associated with the corresponding moving object, using a fuzzy technique based on a perceptual characterization of the subset of bounding boxes. The method also includes merging the subset of bounding boxes to generate a merged bounding box enclosing the subset of bounding boxes to detect the moving object. |
| US09465996B1 |
Apparatus, systems and methods for control of media content event recording
Systems and methods are operable to record a media content event at a media device. An exemplary embodiment grabs a series of subsequently received image frames from the media content event that is being recorded after a monitored real time reaches a closing credits monitor time, wherein the closing credits monitor time is a recording end time less a predefined duration. The embodiment then analyzes each of the image frames to identify an occurrence of text presented in the analyzed image frame, determines that the identified text corresponds to closing credits of the media content event if the at least one attribute of the identified text matches a corresponding predefined closing credits attribute, and initiates an end of the recording of the media content event in response to determining that the identified text corresponds to the closing credits of the media content event. |
| US09465991B2 |
Determining lens characteristics
Embodiments relating to determining characteristics of eyeglass lenses are disclosed. A head-mounted display device comprises a camera communicatively coupled to a computing device and including an optical axis having a center point. Light sources are configured to emit light rays toward the lens to produce lens glints. The light sources are in a light source plane that is spaced from a lens plane by an offset distance of between 8 mm and 12 mm. The light sources are either spaced vertically from a line perpendicular to the light source plane and extending through the center point by a distance between 13 mm and 53 mm, or spaced horizontally from the line by a distance of between 13 mm and 80 mm. Lens characterization program logic identifies an image location of each lens glint, and outputs an estimated lens shape model comprising the one or more lens characteristics. |
| US09465989B2 |
User authentication apparatus and method using movement of pupil
A user authentication apparatus and method using movement of a pupil is capable of rapidly and accurately performing authentication with high security by storing the respective frequencies of objects mechanically moving on a screen and security keys corresponding thereto, comparing a frequency detected from movement of a pupil gazing at any object with a frequency of the object, and performing the authentication based on a corresponding security key when the detected frequency is included in a predetermined range. |
| US09465980B2 |
Pose tracking pipeline
A method of tracking a subject includes receiving from a source a depth image of a scene including the subject. The depth image includes a depth for each of a plurality of pixels. The method further includes identifying pixels of the depth image that image the subject and deriving from the identified pixels of the depth image one or more machine readable data structures representing the subject as a model including a plurality of shapes. |
| US09465978B2 |
Feeling monitoring system
A feeling monitoring system includes a facial image acquisition portion, a feeling information acquisition section, and a feeling display generation section. The facial image acquisition portion is capable of acquiring a facial image of an occupant individually sitting in each seating position of two or more seating positions in a vehicle. The feeling information acquisition section acquires feeling information representing the feeling of the occupant based on the facial image acquired from the facial image acquisition portion. The feeling display generation section generates a feeling display corresponding to the feeling information acquired by the feeling information acquisition section. |
| US09465972B2 |
Fingerprint sensor and electronic device including the same
There are provided a fingerprint sensor and an electronic device including the same. The fingerprint sensor includes a glass panel; a plurality of transducers arranged on edge regions of the glass panel, the plurality of transducers emitting ultrasonic wave signals toward inner surfaces of the glass panel and receiving the ultrasonic wave signals reflected from the inner surfaces of the glass panel; and a fingerprint sensing unit sensing a fingerprint based on the ultrasonic wave signals received by the plurality of transducers, the fingerprint sensing unit sequentially driving the plurality of transducers. |
| US09465970B2 |
Image reader comprising CMOS based image sensor array
The invention features an image reader and a corresponding method for capturing a sharp distortion free image of a target, such as a one or two-dimensional bar code. In one embodiment, the image reader comprises a two-dimensional CMOS based image sensor array, a timing module, an illumination module, and a control module. The time during which the target is illuminated is referred to as the illumination period. The capture of the image by the image sensor array is driven by the timing module that, in one embodiment, is able to simultaneously expose substantially all of the pixels in the array. The time during which the pixels are collectively activated to photo-convert incident light into charge defines the exposure period for the sensor array. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the exposure period occurs during the illumination period. |
| US09465969B2 |
Method for providing QR code-based service for checking for occurrence of cocktail effect of drugs using smart device
The present invention suggests a method for providing a QR code-based service for checking whether or not a cocktail effect of drugs will occur using a smart device, which enables even an ordinary person with no specialist expertise to easily check whether or not a cocktail effect will occur when taking a plurality of drugs and to refrain from administration of a drug which may result in a negative effect, and thus, can prevent the abuse of drugs, by extracting drug information by scanning a QR code provided on the package of the drug to be taken, which a user intends to take, by means of a smart device, determining, using administration information previously registered in a database, whether or not the drug being taken and the drug to be taken cause a cocktail effect due to an interaction caused thereby, and outputting the determination result. |
| US09465968B2 |
Optical grid enhancement for improved motor location
Methods for performing a scheme that results in a refined measurement pattern within an optical grid are provided. Physically adjusting spacing of elements within an optical grid to achieve enhanced resolution is historically unfeasible, as reduction of the spacing causes light sensors of the optical grid to pick up false signals when reading light beams. Technology introduced by the present invention generates a virtual reduced spacing of the elements within the optical grid by using two signals that are slightly different. These slightly different signals can accomplish, at least, quarter-grid spacing resolution within the optical grid. Additionally, the enhanced resolution derived from the virtual reduced spacing is employed to govern movement of a motor. The motor movement is in response to one or more changes of direction such that the motor is operating in its linear range. Advantageously, the virtual reduced spacing allows for substantial movement in a non-linear phase, while only limited movement in a linear phase is necessary to locate accurately a target within the optical grid. |
| US09465966B2 |
Method and apparatus for recognizing barcode of deposition mask
A method of recognizing a barcode of a deposition mask, includes: receiving a barcode image corresponding to the barcode, the barcode image being associated with a lighting environment; determining that the barcode image is not recognizable; generating, in response to determining that the barcode image is not recognizable, one or more control signals configured to modify the lighting environment; and causing, at least in part, a second barcode image to be generated in association with a modified lighting environment. |
| US09465965B1 |
Methods, systems and apparatuses for radio frequency identification
A system for radio frequency identification (RFID) includes an enclosure defining an interior region interior to the enclosure, and a feed for generating an electromagnetic field in the interior region in response to a signal received from an RFID reader via a radio frequency (RF) transmission line and, in response to the electromagnetic field, receiving a signal from an RFID sensor attached to an item in the interior region. The structure of the enclosure may be conductive and may include a metamaterial portion, an electromagnetically absorbing portion, or a wall extending in the interior region. Related apparatuses and methods for performing RFID are provided. |
| US09465964B2 |
Systems and methods using single antenna for multiple resonant frequency ranges
A radio frequency device utilizing an antenna having a single antenna structure resonant on multiple resonant frequency ranges. The antenna can be configured to operate within multiple frequency ranges for communication according to respective protocols associated with the respective frequency ranges. |
| US09465961B2 |
Methods and circuits for securing proprietary memory transactions
Described are systems and method for protecting data and instructions shared over a memory bus and stored in memory. Independent and separately timed stream ciphers for write and read channels allow timing variations between write and read transactions. Data and instructions can be separately encrypted prior to channel encryption to further secure the information. pad generators and related cryptographic circuits are shared for read and write data, and to secure addresses. The cryptographic circuits can support variable data widths, and in some embodiments memory devices incorporate security circuitry that can implement a shared-key algorithm using repurposed memory circuitry. |
| US09465953B2 |
Secure virtual file management system
Virtual file management is disclosed. Managed content from multiple separate storage domains is organized into a virtual file system that maintains with respect to each of at least a subset of said separate storage domains information of storage domain specific file system primitives to perform primitive operations with respect to content stored in that storage domain. Policies are determined that apply to the managed content. Each policy indicates primitive operations permitted to be performed with respect to the managed content. Information comprising the virtual file system and the policies is provided to a client application on a mobile device. The client application is configured to provide access to the managed content in the virtual file system in a manner at least in part indicated in the policies, including by allowing the permitted primitive operations to be performed using said storage domain specific file system primitives. |
| US09465951B1 |
Systems and methods for resource management and certification
Systems for managing access to a plurality of resources for an organization are disclosed, and may include a plurality of resources associated with an organization and having an access restriction; an interface for onboarding each resource to a resource inventory; a human resources data feed that identifies a status for a plurality of individuals within the organization; a termination and transfer service that changes an individual's access to a resource based on a change in the individual's status; an ownership service that assigns at least one of the individuals to be a default owner for each resource; an evergreen service that modifies the default owner for a resource based on a change in the owner's status; a policy service that monitors ownership for compliance with at least one policy; a certification service that certifies each individual's access to the plurality of resources; and a reporting service. |
| US09465950B2 |
Methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for securely accessing social networking data
An approach is provided for controlling access to social networking data for each of a plurality of members by issuing one or more first keys for at least one of data encryption or data decryption, based on a respective current trust level associated with a corresponding member and one or more context attributes corresponding to the social networking data. The one or more first keys expire at an expiration time determined with reference to a time clock. Based on a signal accepted from the time clock, one or more second keys for at least one of data encryption or data decryption are issued to one or more members of the plurality of members who are associated with a trust level above a predetermined threshold and/or who satisfy specified context attributes, prior to the expiration time of the first keys. |
| US09465949B2 |
Information processing apparatus executing print preview according to different modes, and recording medium
An information processing apparatus includes: a first acquisition unit that acquires, as a first mode, a security mode of a first execution process regarding a print preview application called from a first application; a second acquisition unit that acquires a security mode of a printer driver as a second mode, when a print preview is executed through the printer driver, based on a print preview instruction given in a second application; a determination unit that determines identity of security levels regarding both the modes of the first mode and the second mode; and an operation control unit that, when the security levels of both the modes are different from each other, activates a second execution process which is different from the first execution process and is an execution process of the print preview application, to execute the print preview. |
| US09465945B2 |
Media service delivery system providing conditional access to media content from various client devices
A system for protecting the digital rights of content owners allows digital media to be delivered to only those media rendering client devices that have been approved for the media content. Before delivering requested media, the media service provider may determine whether the media rendering client device that requested the media is the type of device that is authorized to receive the request media. If it is, the media service provider may transmit the media to a middleman server over a network (such as the Internet). A middleman server may then serve the media to the client device over a local network. By allowing the media content to be distributed to approved devices only, the media service provider can prevent a user from using the media in a way that is not authorized by the content owner. |
| US09465943B2 |
Extension of a platform configuration register with a known value
A computing system calculates a hash value of binary of a component of the computing system using a hash function and determines whether a signature that is associated with the binary of the component is valid. A trusted platform module in the computing system extends a platform configuration register value in the trusted platform module using a known value that is associated with the binary if the signature is valid. |
| US09465942B1 |
Dictionary generation for identifying coded credentials
Techniques are described for identifying security credentials or other sensitive information by creating a dictionary of data elements included in documents such as source code files, object code files, or other types of files. The data elements may be identified for inclusion in the dictionary based on parsing the documents for delimiter characters, and based on the context of the data elements within the documents. The data elements may also be identified through an entropy-based analysis to detect portions of the documents exhibiting a high degree of entropy compared to a baseline entropy for the documents. The dictionary may be used in a dictionary attack against various systems to determine whether any of the data elements included in the dictionary enable access the systems. The data elements that enable access may be designated as sensitive information hard-coded into the documents. |
| US09465940B1 |
Wavelet decomposition of software entropy to identify malware
A plurality of data files is received. Thereafter, each file is represented as an entropy time series that reflects an amount of entropy across locations in code for such file. A wavelet transform is applied, for each file, to the corresponding entropy time series to generate an energy spectrum characterizing, for the file, an amount of entropic energy at multiple scales of code resolution. It can then be determined, for each file, whether or not the file is likely to be malicious based on the energy spectrum. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described. |
| US09465939B2 |
Mitigation of malware
Systems and methods are provided in example embodiments for mitigating malicious calls. The system can be configured to determine a series of checksums for a file, compare the series of checksums to a checksum tree, where the checksum tree includes a plurality of nodes that each include a fuzzy checksum of known malware, and assign one or more classifications to the file, where each of the one or more classifications is based on each node of the checksum tree that matches a checksum in the series of checksums and includes whether the file includes malware or benign checksums. |
| US09465932B2 |
Anti-peeping display system and method, anti-peeping display and anti-peeping glasses
The present disclosure discloses an anti-peeping display system includes an anti-peeping display, anti-peeping glasses and a controller. The anti-peeping display includes a first polarizer and a first driving device driving the first polarizer to rotate. The anti-peeping glasses include a second polarizer and a second driving device driving the second polarizer to rotate. When judging that both of the obtained display password and the obtained glasses password are correct, the controller is configured to control the first polarizer and the second polarizer to rotate at a same angular velocity; otherwise, control the first driving device and the second driving device to rotate at different angular velocities. |
| US09465929B2 |
System and method for controlling user access to an electronic device
A method and system for authenticating a user to access a computer system. The method comprises communicating security information to the computer system, and providing the computer system with an implicit input. The method further comprises determining whether the security information and implicit input match corresponding information associated with the user. The method further comprises granting the user access to the computer system in the event of a satisfactory match. When authenticating the user, the method and system consider the possibility of the user being legitimate but subject to duress or force by a computer hacker. |
| US09465925B2 |
System for regulating access to and distributing content in a network
There is provided a system for regulating access and managing distribution of content in a network, such as the Internet. The system includes communication gateways, installed at a subscriber site, internet control points, installed remotely, and various network elements installed throughout the network. The communication gateways and network elements operate in conjunction with the internet control points to restrict or allow access to specified Internet sites and to manage efficient distribution of content such as music, video, games, broadband data, real-time audio and voice applications, and software to subscribers. |
| US09465921B1 |
Systems and methods for selectively authenticating queries based on an authentication policy
A computer-implemented method for selectively authenticating a request based on an authentication policy is described. A request is received from a client. A determination is made as to which authentication threshold is applied to the request based on an authentication policy. The request is authenticated if the authentication threshold is satisfied. The authentication threshold is modified if the request is not successfully authenticated. |
| US09465920B2 |
Providing assistance with reporting
A system for maintaining corresponding information in a structured document and in a report is disclosed. The structured document comprises structured data elements and the report comprises text in a natural language. An associating unit (1) is arranged for associating a structured data element of the structured document with an associated part of the report, wherein information represented by the structured data element corresponds to information represented by the associated part of the report. A determining unit (2) is arranged for determining a change to one of the structured data element and the associated part of the report, to obtain a determined change. A corresponding change unit (3) is arranged for making a corresponding change to the other one of the structured data element and the associated part of the report, based on the determined change. |
| US09465917B2 |
Hazard based assessment patterns
Methods and devices for retrospectively assessing continuous monitoring reference pattern data to determine a risk of a patient glucose level measurement taken in at least one data segment being outside a predetermined range. The methods and devices can include executing an algorithm to compare risk scores derived from reference pattern data in a currently collected data segment with risk scores of previously stored reference pattern data of previously collected data segments for a patient for assessing risk. |
| US09465916B2 |
Caregiver rounding communication system
An information technology system for a healthcare facility is provided. The system includes a first computer device to keep track of rounding intervals for caregivers and to determine whether the caregivers successfully complete their rounds in a timely manner for their assigned patients. The system also has a real time locating system (RTLS) that tracks locations of the plurality of caregivers and that is in communication with the first computer device. The system further has a number of graphical displays in communication with the first computer device. Each graphical display is operable to display a list of patients for whom rounds are due and to display reminder messages to the plurality of caregivers relating to rounding. |
| US09465909B2 |
Systems and methods of discriminating DC arcs and load switching noise
Systems and methods of detecting arcing in DC power systems that can differentiate between DC arcs and load-switching noise. The systems and methods can determine, within a plurality of predetermined time intervals, at least the pulse count (PC) per predetermined time interval, and the pulse duration (PD) per predetermined time interval, in which the PC and the PD can correspond to the number and the intensity of potential arcing events in a DC power system, respectively. The systems and methods can process the PC and PD using one or more arc fault detection algorithms, thereby differentiating between DC arcs and load-switching noise with increased reliability. |
| US09465907B2 |
Multi-polygon constraint decomposition techniques for use in double patterning applications
One illustrative method disclosed herein involves, among other things, decomposing an initial circuit layout into first and second mask patterns, for the first mask pattern, identifying a first four-polygon pattern in the first mask pattern that violates a multi-polygon constraint rule, wherein the first four-polygon pattern comprises four polygons positioned side-by-side in the first mask pattern, and recoloring one or two of the polygons in the first four-polygon pattern in the first mask pattern to the second mask pattern to eliminate the first four-polygon pattern from the first mask pattern without introducing any design rule violations in the initial circuit layout. |
| US09465903B1 |
Programmable IC design creation using circuit board data
A method of implementing a circuit design in a circuit design tool for configuration in a programmable integrated circuit (IC) connected to components on a circuit board is described. The method includes processing a first file associated with the circuit board to obtain descriptions of circuit board interfaces of the components on the circuit board; displaying a graphic user interface (GUI) of the circuit design tool to connect a circuit board interface described in the first file with a circuit design interface in the circuit design; generating physical constraints on the circuit design interface with respect to input/outputs of the programmable IC described as being connected to the selected circuit board interface; and generating a bitstream to configure the programmable IC. The bitstream includes a physical implementation of the circuit design satisfying the physical constraints. |
| US09465895B2 |
Method for estimating the thightness of a seal
A method for estimating a seal of a gasket, including: digitally simulating, using a computer, a creep deformation of a gasket resulting from crushing of the gasket between two bearing surfaces; calculating, at an interface between the gasket and one of the two bearing surfaces and during the computer simulation, a cumulative plastic deformation of the gasket, an axial stress between the gasket and the one the two bearing surfaces, and a contact length between the gasket and the one of the two bearing surfaces; and calculating a simulated porosity filling coefficient, representing the seal of the gasket at the interface. |
| US09465893B2 |
Biofeedback for program guidance in pulmonary rehabilitation
A system (200) for providing an exercise training plan for a patient is provided. The system includes a sensor (202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212), and a processor (214) operatively connected to the at least one sensor. The sensor measures physiological parameter of the patient. The processor is configured to: a) receive health information data representative of patient information and patient symptoms; b) receive physiological data from the at least one sensor; c) devise the exercise training plan for the patient based on the health information data and the physiological data; d) monitor the physiological data, during the exercise training of the patient to determine if the physiological data is within a predetermined range; and e) modify the exercise training plan for the patient if the physiological data is outside the predetermined range. |
| US09465891B1 |
Tessellated data visualization system
A data visualization system and related methods may include generating a multi-dimensional graphical object, in which a tessellated arrangement of columns represents an underlying hierarchical data set. Parent-child relationships may be represented by adjacency of columns with respect to an X-Y plane. Magnitudes of underlying values and/or expressions may be represented by Z-axis heights of the columns. |
| US09465890B1 |
Method and system for managing and sharing geographically-linked content
This disclosure relates generally to the field of content sharing over a network using geographical tags, particularly multimedia content relating to community, genealogical and historical information. The content that can be shared via preferred embodiments may take many forms, such as images, genealogical data, video, audio, etc. Preferably, the content comprises personalized content (such as family tree information, family photographs, neighborhood photographs, home video, home audio, etc.). |
| US09465888B1 |
Enhanced search with user suggested search information
A method and system are disclosed for allowing a user to suggest information about content that can be utilized in processing subsequent searches. The suggested information may be different from a fixed set of information about an item, such as keywords, attributes or characteristics of an item, generally provided by a manufacturer or seller of the item. Users can submit to a service the information that they feel is relevant to the item, such as a brief explanation of relevance and a detailed explanation that would help other users to make a decision about the item. The submitted information may be associated with the item information and stored in a data store and utilized as additional attributes of the item for a search. In addition, when a user requests detail information about an item, the user-submitted information may be displayed to the user. |
| US09465885B2 |
Method and system for providing information to a mobile handheld device from a database system
A method for providing information to a mobile handheld device from a database system is provided. The method embodiment includes receiving by a node hosting an information management service a request for data. The request is received from a network enabled mobile handheld device that has intermittent network connectivity. The information management service is configured for identifying unrequested anticipated data based on the requested data. In an embodiment, the anticipated data is identified based on a data request pattern associated with the requested data. Once identified, the requested data and the anticipated data is retrieved from a database system. The requested data and at least a portion of the anticipated data is sent to the network enabled mobile handheld device via a network. By providing anticipated data along with requested data, a mobile user has direct access to unrequested anticipated data when network connectivity is interrupted. |
| US09465884B2 |
System and method for monitoring web content
A system and method of monitoring content stored at a plurality of locations in a location set are provided. The method comprises: determining two or more historic attributes for a first feature associated with each location; for each location in the location set, determining a first predicted attribute for the first feature associated with that location based on the historic attributes for that first feature and that location; determining a monitoring schedule in accordance with the first predicted attribute; and monitoring the content at the locations in the location set according to the monitoring schedule. |
| US09465883B2 |
System and method for efficient data handling across multiple systems
A method and system for converting XML files to and from files in a data format based on hierarchies in real-time. A method for converting from XML to the data format based on hierarchies includes: applying a stylesheet to at least one XML file thereby generating at least one data record in an intermediate format and including information included in the at least one XML file; and, translating the at least one record in the intermediate format to the data format based on hierarchies. A method for converting from a data format based on hierarchies to XML includes: translating at least one record including information stored in the file format based on hierarchies to an intermediate format; and, applying a stylesheet to the at least one record in the intermediate format thereby generating at least one XML file being indicative of the information and suitable for transmission. |
| US09465882B2 |
Systems and methods for efficient storage of content and animation
One embodiment involves receiving, by a web page authoring tool, presentation information in a markup language corresponding to a static graphical object. In this embodiment, the web page authoring tool receives animation information in a data interchange format corresponding to an adjustment for the static graphical object. In this embodiment, the web page authoring tool receives a runtime engine. In this embodiment, the web page authoring tool stores the presentation information, the animation information, and the runtime engine within a web page. The runtime engine may be configured to cause a web browser displaying the web page to render an animation. The animation can be based at least in part on the presentation information and the animation information. |
| US09465880B2 |
Optimizing storage in a publish / subscribe environment
Creating message files in a publication subscription computer system by: (i) receiving data corresponding to a first message; (ii) receiving a list of subscribers that subscribe to a topic of the first message; and (iii) creating a digital data file that includes a payload data and a consumption metadata. The payload data includes content data corresponding to the first message. The consumption metadata includes data relating to whether one or more subscribers of the list of subscribers will potentially consume the first message at a later period in time from the time of receiving the content data corresponding to the first message. |
| US09465878B2 |
System and method for depicting backlink metrics for a website
A system and method for displaying metrics indicating the geographical source of backlinks to at least one of a website and a web page is presented. A plurality of backlinks are identified for a web page. Each of the plurality of backlinks includes a uniform resource locator (URL). For each backlink in the plurality of backlinks, the backlink is translated into an Internet protocol (IP) address, a geographical location associated with the IP address is identified, and the backlink is allocated to at least one of a plurality of geographical regions using the geographical location. A visual representation of at least one of the plurality of geographical regions and an indication of a number of backlinks allocated to the at least one of the plurality of geographical regions is displayed. |
| US09465876B2 |
Managing content available for content prediction
A computer identifies at least one common content element used by each of at least two users from at least one communication by each of the at least two users. Responsive to one of the at least two users constructing content for a potential communication to the other of the at least two users, the computer accesses the at least one common content element for use by at least one content prediction service enabled for presenting one or more possible content elements comprising the at least one common content element for user selection during construction of the content for the potential communication. |
| US09465873B1 |
Systems, methods, and devices for identifying and presenting identifications of significant attributes of unique items
The disclosure herein provides systems, methods, and devices for identifying and presenting identifications of significant attributes of unique items. A significant attributes system for identifying and presenting identifications of significant attributes of unique items comprises an item analysis engine, at least one driver models database, and a model building engine, wherein the item analysis engine comprises an item description receiver and one or more driver calculators. |
| US09465868B2 |
Information output device
An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can facilitate setting of an object, such as a favorite team. An information output device includes a database that associates and stores a region on a map and a sport team related to the region, a position acquisition unit that acquires a position of a self-vehicle, and a favorite team setting processing unit that sets a favorite team from among sport teams. Moreover, the information output device includes a determination processing unit that specifies the region corresponding to the self-vehicle position acquired by the position acquisition unit and determines the sport team associated with the specified region in the database as an object to be set by the favorite team setting processing unit or a candidate for the object. |
| US09465867B2 |
System and method for continuous media segment identification
This invention provides a means to identify unknown media programming using the audio component of said programming. The invention extracts audio information from the media received by consumer electronic devices such as smart TVs and TV set-top boxes then conveys said information to a remote server means which will in turn identify said audio information of unknown identity by way of testing against a database of known audio segment information. The system identifies unknown media programming in real-time such that time-sensitive services may be offered such as interactive television applications providing contextually related information or television advertisement substitution. Other uses include tracking media consumption among many other services. |
| US09465866B2 |
Task context recovery
A data store stores display content indexed to a word segment. The display content comprises a time stamp and a screen shot captured in response to entering the word segment using an input. A process module searches the data store for the word segment, presents the display content indexed to the word segment, and replays an action for the display content. |
| US09465861B2 |
Retrieving indexed data from a dispersed storage network
A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module traversing multiple index structures based on search criteria to identify an object retrieval structure. The method continues with the DS processing module retrieving a set of encoded data slices corresponding to the object retrieval structure from a dispersed storage network (DSN) and decoding the set of encoded data slices in accordance with a dispersed storage error coding function to recover the object retrieval structure. The method continues with the DS processing module identifying one of one or more data version records of the recovered object retrieval structure based on the search criteria to produce an identified data version record and determining DSN addressing information for at least a portion of data based on information of the identified data version record. |
| US09465860B2 |
Storage medium, trie tree generation method, and trie tree generation device
A retrieval device according to the present embodiment associates one tag key with one node and removes a node not having a tag key when a trie tree generating unit generates a trie tree. Moreover, because a tag key having a low priority is registered in a node close to a root node when the trie tree generating unit registers tag keys in the nodes of the trie tree, the retrieval device can narrow down a node region that is a comparison target when a trie tree searching unit performs a retrieval process. |
| US09465855B2 |
Maintaining two-site configuration for workload availability between sites at unlimited distances for products and services
A system for maintaining a two-site configuration for continuous availability over long distances may include a first computing site configured to execute a first instance associated with a priority workload, the first instance being designated as an active instance; a second computing site configured to execute a second instance of the priority workload, the second instance being designated as a standby instance; a software replication module configured to replicate a unit of work data associated with the priority workload from a first data object associated with the active instance to a second data object associated with the standby instance, and a hardware replication module configured to replicate an image from a first storage volume to a copy on a second storage volume, wherein the first storage volume is associated with the first computing site, and the second storage volume is associated with a third computing site. |
| US09465854B2 |
In-database connectivity components analysis of data
A method determines the connectivity components defined by a set of relations over a set of data elements. For each first data element of a selected subset of data elements, a second data element that is linked to the first data element by a path of relations is selected as its representative, using a randomization process. A new set of relations is created by replacing each first data element of the subset by its representative in at least part of the set of relations. |
| US09465852B1 |
Data format for processing information
A method and a system are provided for encoding and processing digital information. The digital information is encoded according to binary encoding formats corresponding to primitive data types. The primitive data types comprise scalar data types including Boolean, integer, float, decimal, time stamp, string, symbol, binary large object, and character large object data types. The primitive data types also comprise composite data types including structure, list, and S-expression data types. The binary-encoded digital information is stored in a message with a predetermined format for transmission. No metadata is included in the message. |
| US09465849B2 |
Systems and methods for content processing
Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to gather, rank, categorize, and perform other processing of various types of content. In some embodiments, content items such as text, images, video, and other content are received from a variety of different sources and are processed to generate an article containing selected content items. While there may be hundreds or thousands of separate articles and stories regarding a particular topic, embodiments of the present disclosure help provide users with a single concise article that contains high-quality content items selected from among a potentially vast number of disparate sources. |
| US09465848B2 |
Detecting social graph elements for structured search queries
In particular embodiments, a method includes receiving an unstructured text query, parsing the text query to identify n-grams; determining a score that the n-grams correspond to particular nodes and edges from a social graph, identifying those nodes and edges with a score greater than a threshold score, and then generating structured queries that include references to the identified nodes and edges. |
| US09465844B2 |
Unified table query processing
A system and method of query processing in a multi-level storage system having a unified table architecture. A query is received by a common query execution engine connected with the unified table architecture, the query specifying a data record. The common query execution engine performs a look-up for the data record based on the query at the first level storage structure. If the data record is not present at the first level storage structure, the common query execution engine performs separate look-ups in each of the second level storage structure and the main store. |
| US09465843B2 |
Hybrid database table stored as both row and column store
A hybrid database table is stored as both a row and a column store. One or more techniques may be employed alone or in combination to enhance performance of the hybrid table by regulating access to, and/or the size of, the processing-intensive column store data. For example during an insert operation, the column store data may be searched for a uniqueness violation only after certain filtering and/or boundary conditions have been considered. In another technique, a hybrid table manager may control movement of data to the column store based upon considerations such as frequency of access, or underlying business logic. In still another technique, querying of the hybrid table may result in a search of the column store data only after an initial search of row store data fails to return a result. |
| US09465842B2 |
Query optimization considering virtual machine mirroring costs
Techniques are disclosed for selecting between query execution plans in part based on VM mirroring costs. In one embodiment, a query optimizer determines runtimes for multiple query execution plans, and modifies these runtimes based on flashing cost, which is itself determined based on the amount of memory which needs to be flashed to the secondary memory if each execution plan is executed. In so doing, the query optimizer may select a execution plan which takes a longer to run, but incurs less flashing cost. By considering both the query runtime itself and the flashing cost, the query optimizer may be better able to determine the fastest query execution plan to execute. |
| US09465837B1 |
Processing data requests for a schemaless datastore in accordance with constraint information
A server system having memory and one or more processors analyzes a first data request associated with a first application, where the analyzing includes determining whether the first data request is associated with a constraint-restricted portion of a schemaless datastore in which data operations are subject to a set of predefined constraints. In accordance with a determination that the first data request is associated with the constraint-restricted portion, the server system retrieves constraint information corresponding to the set of predefined constraints and processes the first data request in accordance with the constraint information, where the constraint information enables the set of predefined constraints to be applied to the first data request prior to execution of the first data request. |
| US09465834B2 |
Methods and apparatus to manage virtual machines
Methods and apparatus to manage virtual machines are disclosed. An example method includes determining that a deployment of a first virtual machine has halted because the first virtual machine is dependent on a second virtual machine that has not been fully deployed and in response to detecting that the second virtual machine has been deployed, notifying, via a processor, the first virtual machine that deployment of the first virtual machine may continue. |
| US09465833B2 |
Disambiguating user intent in conversational interaction system for large corpus information retrieval
A method of disambiguating user intent in conversational interactions for information retrieval is disclosed. The method includes providing access to a set of content items with metadata describing the content items and providing access to structural knowledge showing semantic relationships and links among the content items. The method further includes providing a user preference signature, receiving a first input from the user that is intended by the user to identify at least one desired content item, and determining an ambiguity index of the first input. If the ambiguity index is high, the method determines a query input based on the first input and at least one of the structural knowledge, the user preference signature, a location of the user, and the time of the first input and selects a content item based on comparing the query input and the metadata associated with the content item. |
| US09465832B1 |
Efficiently committing large transactions in a graph database
A computer-implemented method includes receiving a transaction, where the transaction includes a plurality of operations and is applicable to a graph database. The transaction is represented by a transaction graph, which is a dependency graph representing dependencies among the plurality of operations of the transaction. The transaction graph is partitioned, by a computer processor, into two or more transaction subgraphs. Each of the two or more transaction subgraphs includes two or more operations of the transaction, and each of the two or more transaction subgraphs is a dependency graph representing dependencies among the two or more operations of the transaction subgraph. The two or more transaction subgraphs are independent of one another. The two or more transaction subgraphs are applied to the graph database in parallel, where applying each transaction subgraph to the graph database includes applying the two or more operations of the transaction subgraph to the graph database. |
| US09465830B2 |
Real time content searching in social network
Indexing and retrieving real time content in a social networking system is disclosed. A user-term index includes user-term partitions, each user-term partition comprising temporal databases. As a post is received from a user, a user identifier, a post identifier, and a post is extracted. An object store communicatively coupled to a temporal database for recently received content is queried to determine whether terms in the post has already been stored. A term identifier is stored in the user-term index with the user and post identifiers. A forward index stores the post by post identifier. Responsive to a search query, the user-term index is searched by the user's connections and the terms. A real time search engine compiles the results of the user-term index query and retrieves the stored posts from the forward index. The search results may then be ranked and cached before presentation to the searching user. |
| US09465828B2 |
Computer implemented methods and apparatus for identifying similar labels using collaborative filtering
Disclosed are methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable storage media for identifying similar labels. In some implementations, one or more servers maintain a plurality of data entries in one or more database tables storing textual data, each data entry of a first portion of the data entries including: a text sequence, a label, and a text-to-label association score, and each data entry of a second portion of the data entries including: a first label, a second label, and a similarity score. The one or more servers analyze the data of the first portion of data entries to generate one or more pairs, each pair including information identifying a first label and a second label. The one or more servers calculate a similarity score for each of the one or more pairs and store the respective similarity scores in the second portion of the data entries. |
| US09465826B2 |
Estimating unique entry counts using a counting bloom filter
A method of estimating a number of unique entry counts of an attribute in a database comprises, with a processor: identifying a sample of entries from an attribute database, determining frequencies of a number of input observations of the sample of entries, determining a number of high frequency values of the sample of entries, and estimating a number of unique entry counts of an attribute within the attribute database using a counting Bloom filter and based on the frequencies of the input observations and the high frequency values. |
| US09465825B2 |
Data quality monitoring
A computer implemented method, computer program product and system for data quality monitoring includes measuring a data quality of loaded data relative to a predefined data quality metric. The measuring the data quality includes identifying delta changes in at least one of the loaded data and the data quality rules relative to a previous measurement of the data quality of the loaded data. Logical calculus defined in the data quality rules is applied to the identified delta changes. |
| US09465824B2 |
Rebuilding an encoded data slice within a dispersed storage network
A method begins with a computing device of a dispersed storage network (DSN) determining that an encoded data slice of a set of encoded data slices requires rebuilding and sending partial rebuild requests to storage units of the DSN. The method continues with one of the storage units generating a partial rebuilt slice based one or more encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices stored by the one of the storage units and securing the partial rebuilt slice using a shared secret scheme that is shared among the storage units to produce a secured partial rebuilt slice. The method continues with the computing device receiving a set of secured partial rebuilt slices from the storage units, recovering a set of partial rebuilt slices from the set of secured partial rebuilt slices, and rebuilding the encoded data slice from the set of partial rebuilt slices. |
| US09465823B2 |
System and method for data de-duplication
Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer program products for processing a file which include using a computer system that is programmed for performing a process of receiving the file in response to a request for storing the file, determining whether a database already contains the file, and storing the file in the database if the database does not already contain the file. The process may alternatively include receiving the file in response to a request for storing the file, determining whether a database already contains the file, and storing the file without storing the received file if the database already contains the file. The process may also alternatively include receiving the file in response to a request for storing the file in a database, separating the file into a plurality of portions, and storing the plurality of portions so each of the plurality of portions can be individually accessed. |
| US09465822B2 |
Data model generation based on user interface specification
Systems, devices, and methods for providing data model generation based on user interface specifications are presented. On a client device, an execution platform may provide a graphical user interface (GUI) through which a software designer can visually develop an application. The execution platform may represent the application as pages with each page containing zero or more widgets. From this representation, a database schema is automatically created and populated, and then stored on a server device. |
| US09465820B2 |
Method and system for unified technological stack management for relational databases
An approach is described for providing unified technological stack management (e.g., via a global storage instance) where metadata is delocalized from storage nodes. The approach includes creating a global storage instance, wherein the global storage instance contains metadata for a storage layer including a plurality of storage nodes, and wherein the global storage instance is delocalized from the plurality of storage nodes. The approach also includes receiving a database operation request from an operating system layer. The approach further includes mediating the database operation request between the operating system layer and the storage layer using the global storage instance. |
| US09465814B2 |
Annotating search results with images
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for annotating search results. Images associated with a plurality of different websites are obtained and associated with respective domains of the websites. Search results are then annotated with the obtained images according to their domains. User selection of an annotated search result's image will cause a local search of the website associated with the image based on the query. |
| US09465812B1 |
Systems and methods for management of interred remains
Systems and methods for managing interred remains including using a physical location of the remains and a computer database are disclosed. The systems and methods relate to interacting with the interment site of the remains of a person or animal, including virtual gravestones, memorials consisting of audio and/or visual data, and ways to interact with such data by survivors. |
| US09465803B2 |
Screen sharing presentation system
A screen sharing presentation system includes a presenter client system that leads a presentation and listener client systems that follow the presentation. A server facilitates communication between the presenter client system and the listener client systems. Users of the client systems may provide annotation information for the presentation. The annotation data is not visible to other users of other client systems, but is displayed on the respective user's personal views of the presentation. The presenter client system and the listener client systems are synchronized by communicating a current document location or other status indications. |
| US09465798B2 |
Single word and multi-word term integrating system and a method thereof
A single word and multi-word term integrating system and a method thereof are disclosed, wherein a user uses an input unit to continuously input pinying codes for the system to find combinations of the pinying codes to provide word candidates for the user to choose, wherein the word candidates can be combined into a phrase or a sentence; when the inputted pinying codes are too long or incomplete, there might be a false prediction of a word or a sentence due to an incorrect combination of pinying codes; consequently, the system forcibly determines the pinying codes to be regarded as a single word and does not combine them with the follow-up pinying codes; then the system uses a full sentence prediction result display unit for the user to choose a correct word, thereby improving prediction accuracy. |
| US09465796B2 |
Apparatus and method for dynamically updating landmarks in a space during execution of natural language instructions
A computing device obtains an incomplete semantic map of a predefined space. The incomplete semantic map includes static landmarks. The computing device receives a set of natural language instructions including a sequence of semantically directive clauses, processes the sequence of semantically directive clauses, decodes one of an action and a path in the set of natural language instructions using an optimization process and based on the incomplete semantic map. In response to the decoding, the computing device inserts a newly identified landmark into the incomplete semantic map. |
| US09465792B2 |
Computer automated organization glossary generation systems and methods
The present disclosure includes techniques pertaining to computer automated learning management systems and methods. In one embodiment, a system is disclosed where information is represented in a learning graph. In one embodiment, a framework may be used to access different algorithms for identifying customized learning content for a user. In another embodiment, the present disclosure includes techniques for analyzing content and incorporating content into an organizational glossary. |
| US09465790B2 |
SVO-based taxonomy-driven text analytics
Textual data is organized into statement clusters. Sentences are extracted from textual data and parsed. A verb usage pattern is identified and an SVO triplet is determined. The SVO triplet is compared to a taxonomy associated with the domain of the data and a sentiment is derived. A statement cluster is constructed comprising a higher level SVO triplet sensitive to the taxonomy and verb usage pattern, as well as the derived sentiment. Accordingly, the statement clusters may be organized by grouping. |
| US09465788B2 |
Authoring tool for the authoring of wrap packages of cards
An authoring tool for authoring wrap packages of cards. The authoring tool includes a set of tools that enable an author to create a new card of a wrap selected from a variety of card templates. In various embodiments, the card templates include textual, video, image/photo, document, gallery, chat, widgets, global components, location/GPS, transact, appointment, and end-of-wrap card templates. When a particular card template is selected, the template is then duplicated to create the new card. Thereafter, the author may author the card to include various components, content, attributes, layouts, styles triggers and/or behaviors. As the cards of the wrap are created, the authoring tool provides the author with the ability to order the sequence of the cards. The authoring tool thus enables authors to selectively create wrap packages that include media that conveys a narrative story and application functionality. |
| US09465782B2 |
Dynamic language translation of web site content
Methods, systems, and computer readable medium for providing content with respect to a website. A request for content is received where the request includes information related to a user. One or more pieces of localized content associated with at least one condition is retrieved when it is determined that the at least one condition is consistent with the information related to the user, where each localized content is localized with respect to the content requested. At least one of the retrieved localized content is identified when the information related to the user meets the associated at least one condition. The identified at least one localized content is sent as a response to the received request for content. |
| US09465778B1 |
Automated governance of data applications
A method for regulating a plurality of collections of data includes analyzing collections of data to identify one or more deviations from a standard, guideline, or best practice governing the plurality of collections of data. The method further includes determining characteristics of the one or more deviations. Based on the characteristics, an action to be taken in response to the one or more deviations is determined and completed. Further, a record of the executed action is stored on a computer-readable medium. |
| US09465777B2 |
System and method of performing domain name server pre-fetching
A method and system for performing domain name service (DNS) pre-fetching, content pre-fetching, or a combination thereof, are disclosed for a wireless portable computing device (PCD). The system and method may include rendering a web page on a display screen of the PCD and performing a DNS pre-fetch for any visible links within the web page. Further, the method may include determining whether a screen changing operation (i.e., a scrolling operation) is being performed and placing one or more DNS pre-fetch tasks in a queue for each link that is displayed on the display screen when the screen changing operation is performed. The method and system may reduce wait times for a wireless PCD when it is rendering webpages on its display screen. |
| US09465767B2 |
Multi-processor, multi-domain, multi-protocol cache coherent speculation aware shared memory controller and interconnect
This invention combines a multicore shared memory controller and an asynchronous protocol converting bridge to create a very efficient heterogeneous multi-processor system. After traversing the protocol converting bridge the commands travel through the regular processor port. This allows the interconnect to remain unchanged while having any combination of different processors connected. This invention tightly integrates all of the processors into the same memory controller/interconnect. |
| US09465762B2 |
Communications control system with a serial communications interface and a parallel communications interface
A communications control system is disclosed that includes a serial communications interface and a parallel communications interface for coupling a plurality of input/output modules with a control module. The serial communications interface is configured for connecting the plurality of input/output modules to the control module in parallel to transmit information between the plurality of input/output modules and the control module, and the parallel communications interface is configured for separately connecting the plurality of input/output modules to the control module to transmit information between the plurality of input/output modules and the control module, and to transmit information between individual ones of the plurality of input/output modules. The serial communications interface may comprise a multidrop bus, and the parallel communications interface may comprise a cross switch. |
| US09465761B2 |
Managing slave devices
A hardware system comprises a digital signal generator, which generates a digital electrical signal that describes a first physical state of a first device; an analog electrical signal generator, which generates an analog electrical signal that describes a second physical state of the first device; a hybrid digital state signal generator, which generates a hybrid digital state signal that comprises the analog electrical signal overlaid onto the initial digital electric signal; and a hybrid signal transmitter, which transmits the hybrid digital state signal from the first device to a second device, wherein the second device comprises a hybrid signal receiver/decoder that extracts the analog electrical signal from the hybrid digital state signal. |
| US09465760B2 |
Method and apparatus for delivering MSI-X interrupts through non-transparent bridges to computing resources in PCI-express clusters
An apparatus for initialization. The apparatus includes a management I/O device controller for managing initialization of a plurality of I/O devices coupled to a PCI-Express (PCIe) fabric. The management I/O device controller is configured for receiving a request to register a target interrupt register address of a first worker computing resource, wherein the target interrupt register address is associated with a first interrupt generated by a first I/O device coupled to the PCIe fabric. A mapping module of the management I/O device controller is configured for mapping the target interrupt register address to a mapped interrupt register address of a domain in which the first I/O device resides. A translating interrupt register table includes a plurality of mapped interrupt register addresses in the domain that is associated with a plurality of target interrupt register addresses of a plurality of worker computing resources. |
| US09465756B2 |
Configurable interconnection system
An interconnection system, apparatus and method is described where the motherboard may be populated with less than all of the modules that it has been designed to accept while maintaining a configuration such that in the event of a module failure, a memory controller failure, or a combination thereof, the connectivity of the remaining modules is maintained. Where data is stored using a RAID organization of the memory on the modules, the data may be reconstructed to a spare module. The system also provides for the orderly incremental expansion of the memory by adding additional memory modules and memory controllers, while maintaining the connectivity properties. |
| US09465755B2 |
Security parameter zeroization
Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to security parameter zeroization. Example embodiments include security parameter zeroization based on a remote security monitor. |
| US09465754B2 |
Bridge circuit to arbitrate bus commands
A circuit may include a queue, a monitor, and a controller. The queue may receive and store a plurality of commands from a plurality of buses to access a shared set of registers. The monitor may monitor the plurality of commands in the queue to determine whether a period of time needs to be reserved for selected commands from one of the plurality of buses. The controller, if the period of time needs to be reserved, based on the period of time determined by the monitor, may disable acceptance of commands from buses other than the one of the plurality of buses, may execute the selected commands for the one of the plurality of buses, and may allow more than one of the plurality of buses access to results of the selected commands. |
| US09465751B2 |
Efficient locking of memory pages
An apparatus is described that contains a processing core comprising a CPU core and at least one accelerator coupled to the CPU core. The CPU core comprises a pipeline having a translation look aside buffer. The CPU core comprising logic circuitry to set a lock bit in attribute data of an entry within the translation look-aside buffer entry to lock a page of memory reserved for the accelerator. |
| US09465749B2 |
DMA engine with STLB prefetch capabilities and tethered prefetching
A system with a prefetch address generator coupled to a system translation look-aside buffer that comprises a translation cache. Prefetch requests are sent for page address translations for predicted future normal requests. Prefetch requests are filtered to only be issued for address translations that are unlikely to be in the translation cache. Pending prefetch requests are limited to a configurable or programmable number. Such a system is simulated from a hardware description language representation. |
| US09465747B2 |
Controller for controlling non-volatile memory and semiconductor device including the same
A controller controlling a non-volatile memory includes a first memory area suitable for storing a first address table, a second memory area suitable for storing a second address table, an address conversion block suitable for converting a sector address received from a host into a physical address corresponding to the non-volatile memory with reference to the first and second address tables, and one or more function blocks suitable for sharing the second memory area with the address conversion block. The address conversion block exclusively uses the first memory area. |
| US09465743B2 |
Method for accessing cache and pseudo cache agent
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for accessing a cache and a pseudo cache agent (PCA). The method of the present invention is applied to a multiprocessor system, where the system includes at least one NC, at least one PCA conforming to a processor micro-architecture level interconnect protocol is embedded in the NC, the PCA is connected to at least one PCA storage device, and the PCA storage device stores data shared among memories in the multiprocessor system. The method of the present invention includes: if the NC receives a data request, obtaining, by the PCA, target data required in the data request from the PCA storage device connected to the PCA; and sending the target data to a sender of the data request. Embodiments of the present invention are mainly applied to a process of accessing cache data in the multiprocessor system. |
| US09465740B2 |
Coherence processing with pre-kill mechanism to avoid duplicated transaction identifiers
An apparatus for processing coherency transactions in a computing system is disclosed. The apparatus may include a request queue circuit, a duplicate tag circuit, and a memory interface unit. The request queue circuit may be configured to generate a speculative read request dependent upon a received read transaction. The duplicate tag circuit may be configured to store copies of tag from one or more cache memories, and to generate a kill message in response to a determination that data requested in the received read transaction is stored in a cache memory. The memory interface unit may be configured to store the generated speculative read request dependent upon a stall condition. The stored speculative read request may be sent to a memory controller dependent upon the stall condition. The memory interface unit may be further configured to delete the speculative read request in response to the kill message. |
| US09465739B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for conditionally sending a request for data to a node based on a determination
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for conditionally sending a request for data to a node based on a determination. In operation, a first request for data is sent to a cache of a first node. Additionally, it is determined whether the first request can be satisfied within the first node, where the determining includes at least one of determining a type of the first request and determining a state of the data in the cache. Furthermore, a second request for the data is conditionally sent to a second node, based on the determination. |
| US09465733B2 |
Storage device and global garbage collection method of data storage system including the same
A storage device includes at least one nonvolatile memory device; and a memory controller configured to control the nonvolatile memory device, wherein the memory controller includes, at least one processor configured to control an overall operation of the memory controller; a buffer memory configured to store input/output data according to a control of the processor when an input/output request from an external device occurs; an error correction circuit configured to detect and correct an error of the input/output data; a garbage collector configured to selectively generate a first global garbage collection command in response to the input/output request and configured to perform a global garbage collection according to a second global garbage collection command received from the external device; and a storage interface configured to transmit the first global garbage collection command to another storage device. |
| US09465729B2 |
Memory allocation accelerator
Technologies are generally described for methods and systems effective to implement a memory allocation accelerator. A processor may generate a request for allocation of a requested chunk of memory. The request may be received by a memory allocation accelerator configured to be in communication with the processor. The memory allocation accelerator may process the request to identify an address for a particular chunk of memory corresponding to the request and may return the address to the processor. |
| US09465726B2 |
Abstract layer for automatic user interface testing
A method to provide automatic testing of a graphical user interface (GUI) having a plurality of GUI components includes maintaining an abstract layer configured to provide a uniform interface for accessing a plurality of user interface (UI) testing tools, each of which is configured to interact with one or more of the plurality of GUI components to perform automatic testing of the GUI. The method also includes receiving a test command, selecting one of the plurality of UI testing tools based on the test command, identifying the GUI component from the plurality of GUI components based on a first uniform identifier in the test command, and utilizing the uniform interface to communicate with the selected UI testing tool for interacting with the GUI component based on the test command. |
| US09465724B2 |
Method, program, and system for generating test cases
To provide a technique for generating, at a high speed, a smaller-sized set that satisfies an intended property such as, for example, being pair-wise, and includes many test cases that match a set of existing test cases given as an input, candidates to be used from a set of existing input test cases are determined in the following manner: for some parameters, values to be held by test case candidates are determined; test cases having the determined values, among those included in the set of input test cases, are selected as the candidates. A test case having the highest score among one or more test case candidates generated with the method of the related art and one or more test case candidates selected from the set of input test cases is added to a set of output test cases. |
| US09465723B2 |
Systems and/or methods for monitoring live software
Certain example embodiments described herein relate to techniques for observing an internal state of a software application executing in a runtime environment. For instance, certain example embodiments include traversing a structure of multiple live data objects in the executing software application; generating a graph of shadow data objects based on the traversing, with each shadow data object of the graph corresponding to a live data object of the executing software application; and providing access to the generated shadow graph via a user interface. |
| US09465722B2 |
Error assessment tool
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, and computer program product for assessing error notifications associated with one or more application functions. An exemplary embodiment includes receiving an indication of an error associated with at least one function in an application; extracting information associated with the application from one or more sources; and initiating a presentation of a second user-interface to enable a user to resolve the error, wherein the second user-interface comprises at least one of an aggregation of the information extracted from the one or more sources. |
| US09465717B2 |
Native code profiler framework
Embodiments provide systems, methods, and computer program products for dynamically hooking multiple levels of application code. A server receives identifying information that identifies a target function of a target application to hook. The server pauses a target process of the target application. The server locates the target function within the target application code based on the received identifying information. The server then hooks the located function outside of the target application, thereby creating hooked code during application runtime. |
| US09465716B2 |
Run-time instrumentation directed sampling
The invention relates to implementing run-time instrumentation directed sampling. An aspect of the invention includes fetching a run-time instrumentation next (RINEXT) instruction from an instruction stream. The instruction stream includes the RINEXT instruction followed by a next sequential instruction (NSI) in program order. The method further includes executing the RINEXT instruction by a processor. The executing includes determining whether a current run-time instrumentation state enables setting a sample point for reporting run-time instrumentation information during program execution. Based on the current run-time instrumentation state enabling setting the sample point, the NSI is a sample instruction for causing a run-time instrumentation event. Based on executing the NSI sample instruction, the run-time instrumentation event causes recording of run-time instrumentation information into a run-time instrumentation program buffer as a reporting group. |
| US09465715B2 |
Optimizing the number of shared processes executing in a computer system
A system optimizes a number of shared server processes executing on a processor. The system creates, in a memory, a data array for storing a plurality of performance metric values, each associated with a number of shared server processes. The system selects a value for an optimized number of shared server processes according to a first procedure based on the performance metric, observes a performance metric associated with the selected optimized number, and stores, in the data array, the observed performance metric. The system repeats the selecting, observing and storing until at least a predetermined number of contiguous data values are stored in the data array. The system selects the value for the optimized number according to a second procedure based on a slope of the performance metric. The system observes the performance metric associated with the selected optimized number, and stores, in the data array, the observed performance metric. |
| US09465714B1 |
Adaptive runtime for a multiprocessing API
A computer-implemented method includes selecting a runtime for executing a program. The runtime includes a first combination of feature implementations, where each feature implementation implements a feature of an application programming interface (API). Execution of the program is monitored, and the execution uses the runtime. Monitor data is generated based on the monitoring. A second combination of feature implementations are selected, by a computer processor, where the selection is based at least in part on the monitor data. The runtime is modified by activating the second combination of feature implementations to replace the first combination of feature implementations. |
| US09465707B2 |
POST (power-on-self-test) debugging method and apparatuses using the same
The invention introduces a POST (power-On-Self-Test) debugging method, executed by a processing unit, which contains at least the following steps. A phase number indicative of a current POST phase is set. A driver is selected from a scheduled queue. A GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) of the driver is obtained. The phase number and the GUID are stored or output, so as to recognize the phase of the driver being interrupted upon a break point of the driver. After that, the driver is executed. |
| US09465706B2 |
Selectively coupling a PCI host bridge to multiple PCI communication paths
Instead of disabling PCI communication between system resources in a host computing device and I/O devices when a PCI Host Bridge (PHB) is reset, the host computing device may include a PCI communication path for maintaining communication between the system resources and the I/O devices. In one embodiment, the redundant PCI communication path includes a second PHB that is maintained in a standby state. The host may monitor the errors generated by a plurality of master PHBs and select a master PHB that satisfies an error threshold. The second PHB (i.e., a servant PHB) and the selected master PHB are synchronized, and the second PHB is coupled to the PCI communication path between the master PHB and a PCI switch. The master PHB can then be reset while the second PHB maintains PCI communication between the host and the I/O devices. |
| US09465705B2 |
Processing a target memory
A method is suggested for processing a target memory, the method comprising the steps of (i) checking the target memory subsequent to an erase operation directed to the target memory; and (ii) replacing the target memory with a spare memory in case a defect is detected. |
| US09465703B2 |
Edge virtual bridging station with primary and secondary physical network cards
According to an example, an Edge Virtual Bridging (EVB) station is configured with a VM, an ER and multiple physical network cards. The VM is configured with multiple virtual network cards and each virtual network card has one VSI. Each VSI is connected with one of the physical network cards via the ER. One of the physical network cards is configured as a primary physical network card, and another is configured as a secondary physical network card. A VSI corresponding to the primary physical network card is configured as a primary virtual interface, and a VSI corresponding to the secondary physical network card is configured as a secondary virtual interface. After determining the primary physical network card failed, the secondary physical network card is configured as a new primary physical network card, and the secondary virtual is configured as a new primary virtual interface. |
| US09465698B2 |
Systems and/or methods for data recovery in distributed, scalable multi-tenant environments
Certain example embodiments relate to techniques for recovering registry information and recreating the entire registry for all available tenants in a scalable, multi-tenant distributed environment, while also potentially looking into all of the running services where the most up-to-date data could exist. Dynamic real-time or substantially real-time recreation of connections between a web application and the latest instance of a tenant in such an environment (e.g., following a failure of one of the databases holding the tenant data, a corruption of the registry entry pointing to the tenant, and/or the like) is made possibly by, for instance, comparing the timestamps of the last written entities in order to examine the most current data and “re-bundle” the last master/replication instances, e.g., for restores in an environment where a rolling failover procedure is implemented. |
| US09465697B2 |
Provision of backup functionalities in cloud computing systems
Exemplary embodiments provide various techniques for providing backup functionalities in a cloud computing system. In one exemplary method, a workflow that defines a set of actions associated with a backup functionality in a cloud computing system is accessed. A plug-in module that is configured to perform at least one of the set of actions associated with the backup functionality is identified from a number of plug-in modules. This identified plug-in module is then called to execute the action defined in the workflow. |
| US09465694B2 |
Method and apparatus for recovering partition based on file system metadata
A method and apparatus for recovering a partition based on file system metadata, which calculate core information necessary for the recovery of a partition using only the MFT entry information of $MFT and recover a deleted partition when an MBR and a GPT that correspond to the partition configuration information of a disk and a BR and a BBR that store the configuration information of a volume are deleted or destroyed. The method includes determining an unallocated area in a disk or an evidence image, collecting MFT entries from the unallocated area, generating MFT partition candidate information by analyzing the MFT entries, and creating information enabling a layout of a partition to be reconfigured based on the MFT partition candidate information, and creating a tree structure using the created information and the MFT entries. |
| US09465688B2 |
Event logging and error recovery
A method, computer program product, and system to control event logging and error recovery in a system including adapters, ports, and channels are described. The method includes storing a recovery threshold for each event type among a plurality of event types and storing a level-specific logging threshold for each event type, implementing event handlers for each of the channels, the ports, and the adapters of the system, and implementing a threshold manager for the events identified by the event handlers based on the level-specific logging threshold and the recovery threshold for each of the respective event types of each of the events. For any identified event corresponding with a given event type, the implementing the threshold manager includes considering the recovery threshold and the level-specific logging threshold at every level regardless of a level at which the identified event is identified. |
| US09465684B1 |
Managing logs of storage systems
A method is used in managing logs of storage systems. Log data is collected in response to receiving a request to diagnose a problem. The log data is stored on a central system. Data analysis techniques are performed automatically on the log data. A result of performing the data analysis techniques is evaluated for diagnosing the problem. |
| US09465679B2 |
Dynamic adjustment of mobile device based on adaptive prediction of system events
In some implementations, a mobile device can be configured to monitor environmental, system and user events associated with the mobile device and/or a peer device. The occurrence of one or more events can trigger adjustments to system settings. The mobile device can be configured to keep frequently invoked applications up to date based on a forecast of predicted invocations by the user. In some implementations, the mobile device can receive push notifications associated with applications that indicate that new content is available for the applications to download. The mobile device can launch the applications associated with the push notifications in the background and download the new content. In some implementations, before running an application or communicating with a peer device, the mobile device can be configured to check energy and data budgets and environmental conditions of the mobile device and/or a peer device to ensure a high quality user experience. |
| US09465672B2 |
Method for monitoring the coordinated execution of sequenced tasks by an electronic card comprising at least two processors synchronized to one and the same clock
A method for monitoring the coordinated execution of sequenced tasks by an electronic card including at least one first processor (PP1) and a second processor (PP2) synchronized to the same clock of determined time period, includes: recording in memory means by the first processor (PP1) of a first identifier (ID1) characterizing the time period (T1) in the course of which the first sequenced task has been executed; recording in the memory means by the second processor (PP2) of a second identifier (ID2) characterizing the time period (T1) in the course of which the first accessory task (N1) has been executed; comparing by the first processor (PP1) the first identifier (ID1) and the second identifier (ID2); and signaling by the first processor (PP1) in the case of failure of the comparison so as to signal a defect of coordination of the processors (PP1, PP2). |
| US09465669B2 |
NUMA scheduling using inter-vCPU memory access estimation
In a system having non-uniform memory access architecture, with a plurality of nodes, memory access by entities such as virtual CPUs is estimated by invalidating a selected sub-set of memory units, and then detecting and compiling access statistics, for example by counting the page faults that arise when any virtual CPU accesses an invalidated memory unit. The entities, or pairs of entities, may then be migrated or otherwise co-located on the node for which they have greatest memory locality. |
| US09465667B1 |
Application load adaptive multi-stage parallel data processing architecture
Systems and methods provide an extensible, multi-stage, realtime application program processing load adaptive, manycore data processing architecture shared dynamically among instances of parallelized and pipelined application software programs, according to processing load variations of said programs and their tasks and instances, as well as contractual policies. The invented techniques provide, at the same time, both application software development productivity, through presenting for software a simple, virtual static view of the actually dynamically allocated and assigned processing hardware resources, together with high program runtime performance, through scalable pipelined and parallelized program execution with minimized overhead, as well as high resource efficiency, through adaptively optimized processing resource allocation. |
| US09465664B1 |
Systems and methods for allocation of environmentally regulated slack
Systems and methods for allocation of environmentally regulated slack are provided. In one embodiment, a time-partitioned processing system comprises: at least one processing core; a memory coupled to the processing core; a real-time operating system including a scheduler configured to partition processing time for the processing core into a plurality of time periods, wherein the scheduler further budgets a pre-determined duration of processing time for executing a first budgeted time partitioned entity (TPE) by allocating at least a first allocation of time to the first budgeted TPE; wherein the scheduler utilizes at least a portion of processing time not used to execute the first budgeted TPE or any other budgeted TPE as environmentally regulated slack; wherein the scheduler allocates at least a portion of environmentally regulated slack to one or more slack consuming TPEs based on a measurement of one or more operational environment parameters associated with the processing core. |
| US09465662B2 |
Processor with efficient work queuing
Work submitted to a co-processor enters through one of multiple input queues, used to provide various quality of service levels. In-memory linked-lists store work to be performed by a network services processor in response to lack of processing resources in the network services processor. The work is moved back from the in-memory inked-lists to the network services processor in response to availability of processing resources in the network services processor. |
| US09465659B2 |
Dynamic task completion scaling of system resources for a battery operated device
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for dynamic task completion scaling of system resources for a battery operated device are provided. Embodiments include determining, by task completion controller, availability of system resources; retrieving, by the task completion controller, historical user-specific task performance data corresponding to a user; and performing, by the task completion controller, a system action based on the determined availability of system resources and the retrieved historical user-specific task performance data. |
| US09465654B2 |
Intelligent failover or shutdown of an application using input/output shipping in response to loss of connectivity to data storage in a cluster
When a loss of connectivity between a first node in a cluster of nodes and a data store is detected, an input/output (I/O) request associated with an application that was executing on the first node is shipped to a second node in the cluster that is in communication with the data store. The application can be gracefully shut down on the first node, and the second node can execute the application and satisfy the I/O request. |
| US09465648B2 |
Distributed transaction processing through commit messages sent to a downstream neighbor
A system includes an initiator and processing nodes. The initiator distributes portions of a transaction among the processing nodes. Each processing node has at least one downstream neighbor to which the processing node sends commit messages. The commit messages include a commit status of the processing node. The downstream neighbor is also a processing node. |
| US09465646B2 |
Detection apparatus, notification method, and computer product
A coprocessor stores to local memory, a driver execution start time, for each execution start of drivers. If a CPU call process is executed during the execution of driver A, the coprocessor calculates the difference of the execution start time and the current time, for drivers B and C. Taking driver C as an example, the coprocessor adds to the difference calculated for the driver C, a processing time required for the CPU call process of driver A and a processing time required for a normal process of driver B. The coprocessor determines whether respective addition results for driver C comply with respective time constraints. If it is determined that an addition result for the driver C cannot comply with the time constraint, and the coprocessor sends an execution request for driver C to another coprocessor. |
| US09465645B1 |
Managing backlogged tasks
A method and apparatus for managing backlogged tasks are disclosed. In the method and apparatus, upon receiving a task pertaining to a requestor group, a number of outstanding tasks associated with the requestor group is determined and the task is submitted for processing if the number of outstanding tasks is within an allowable range. If the number of outstanding tasks is outside of the allowable range, take one or more actions may be taken, which may include rejecting the request. |
| US09465643B1 |
Systems and methods for monitoring a primary operating system (OS) and/or migrating data using an OS hypervisor
Systems and methods for monitoring a primary Operating System (OS) and/or migrating data using an OS hypervisor. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) includes a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the IHS to: provide an Operating System (OS) hypervisor configured to enable operation of a primary OS environment and a service OS environment concurrently, wherein the primary and service OS environments are distinct from each other; and allow the service OS, via the OS hypervisor, to monitor a state of the primary OS while forbidding the primary OS from monitoring a state of the service OS. |
| US09465634B2 |
Fault tolerant system and method for performing fault tolerant
A fault tolerant system includes a primary virtual machine that is formed on a primary machine in which a primary hypervisor runs, and is adapted to input virtual interrupt based on an external interrupt from the primary hypervisor to a primary guest OS, and a secondary virtual machine that is formed on a secondary machine in which a secondary hypervisor runs, and is adapted to input the virtual interrupt to a secondary guest OS on the basis of timing information on the virtual interrupt transmitted from the primary virtual machine. The primary virtual machine is adapted to collect operation performance information from the secondary virtual machine, and to configure an operation performance of the primary virtual machine and an operation performance of the secondary virtual machine so that the operation performance of the primary virtual machine becomes equal to the operation performance of the secondary virtual machine. |
| US09465630B1 |
Assigning dynamic weighted variables to cluster resources for virtual machine provisioning
Systems, methods and computer program products for provisioning a virtual machine are disclosed. A request to provision a virtual machine is received. Resources are identified and utilization of the resources determined for each cluster of the plurality of virtual machine clusters, the resources comprising internet protocol (IP) addresses, memory and CPUs. The availability of clusters is analyzed based on the determined resource utilization for each cluster. The analysis includes assigning dynamic weights to resources of each cluster and calculating an availability of each cluster. A cluster availability report is output indicating an availability status for each virtual machine cluster. A system for provisioning a virtual machine includes a provision manager, a resource determiner, an availability analyzer and an availability reporter. |
| US09465629B2 |
Dynamic linking and loading of post-processing kernels
A computer system may generate a plurality of component kernels, which are to be linked during the runtime. The system may determine whether a combined kernel K is present in response to receiving a first request to retrieve the combined kernel K. The system may compose the combined kernel K from the selected component kernels of the plurality of component kernels during the runtime if the combined kernel is not already present. |
| US09465624B1 |
Interconnection of peripheral devices on different electronic devices
A method and apparatus of performing a data transmission from an electronic device or a peripheral device of an electronic device to a peripheral device of a remote electronic device is disclosed. One example method of performing the data transmission may include transmitting data designated for the remote peripheral device to a local virtual device object. The data that is received by the local virtual device object is transmitted via at least one communication interface or peripheral device of the electronic device to at least one remote communication interface or peripheral device of the remote electronic device. The data arriving at the least one remote communication interface or peripheral device of the remote electronic device is received by a remote virtual device object and transmitted to the designated remote peripheral device. |
| US09465620B2 |
Scalable compute fabric
A method and apparatus for providing a scalable compute fabricare provided herein. The method includes determining a workflow for processing by the scalable compute fabric, wherein the workflow is based on an instruction set. A pipeline in configured dynamically for processing the workflow, and the workflow is executed using the pipeline. |
| US09465614B2 |
Parallel execution of instructions in processing units and adjusting power mode based on monitored data dependency over a period of time
An integrated circuit comprising a set of data processing units including a first data processing unit and at least one second data processing unit operable at variable frequencies is disclosed. The integrated circuit further includes an instruction scheduler adapted to evaluate data dependencies between individual instructions in a received plurality of instructions and assign the instructions to the first data processing unit and the at least one second data processing unit for parallel execution in accordance with said data dependencies. The integrated circuit is operable in a first power mode and a second power mode. The second power mode is a reduced power mode compared to the first power mode and is adapted to adjust the operating frequency of the first data processing unit and the at least one second data processing unit in the second power mode as a function of the evaluated data dependencies. |
| US09465613B2 |
Instruction predication using unused datapath facilities
A method and circuit arrangement for selectively predicating an instruction in an instruction stream based upon a value corresponding to a predication register address indicated by a portion of an operand associated with the instruction. A first compare instruction in an instruction stream stores a compare result in at a register address of a predication register. The register address of the predication register is stored in a portion of an operand associated with a second instruction, and during decoding the second instruction, the predication register is accessed to determine a value stored at the register address of the predication register, and the second instruction is selectively predicated based on the value stored at the register address of the predication register. |
| US09465605B2 |
Image forming apparatus that performs updating of firmware, control method therefor, and storage medium
An image forming apparatus having a firmware update technology that realizes updating of firmware using an encrypted file and reduces a downtime using a differential update. When a first update instruction to perform an update using a first firmware including an encrypted plurality of files is accepted, a content list file is downloaded from an external apparatus, an update file to be updated is identified based on the content list file, and the identified update file is further downloaded from the external apparatus. Then, the update file is decrypted and installed in the image forming apparatus. When a second update instruction to perform an update using a second firmware including an encrypted plurality of files and content list files is accepted, the second firmware is downloaded in a single batch from the external apparatus. Then, the second firmware is decrypted, and the plurality of files is installed in the image forming apparatus. |
| US09465604B1 |
Additional content with variable fidelity
Technologies are disclosed herein for displaying application content and additional content, such as advertisements, notifications, and other additional content. A first version of additional content may be received by a client device, for example, when the client device is connected to a network, and stored on the client device. The client device may determine if one or more conditions are satisfied for retrieving, over a network, a second version of the additional content. The second version may have a higher video fidelity than the first version. If the one or more conditions are satisfied, the client device may retrieve the second version and display the second version of the additional content. If the one or more conditions are not satisfied, the first version may be retrieved and displayed. Subsequent to displaying the first or the second version of the additional content, the application content may be displayed. |
| US09465602B2 |
Maintaining service performance during a cloud upgrade
Systems, methods, and computer storage media for upgrading a domain in a distributed computing environment are provided. Upgrading of the domain includes preparing for the upgrade, upgrading, and finalizing the upgrade. The preparation of the domain includes ensuring predefined quantities of role instances are available in domains other than the upgrade domain. The preparation also includes ensuring that a predefined number of extent replicas are available in domains other than the upgrade domain. The preparation may also include checkpointing partitions within the upgrade domain to facilitate faster loading once transferred to a domain other than the upgrade domain. The finalization may include allowing nodes within the upgrade domain to resume functionality that was suspended during the upgrade. |
| US09465600B2 |
Dynamic retrieval of installation packages when installing software
A method and apparatus for dynamic retrieval of installation packages when installing software is described herein. In one embodiment, a process can be provided to determine a specific installation package to be installed for software having one or more packages to be installed. A repository can be automatically identified from a plurality of repositories from which to obtain the specific installation package, based on priority criteria. The priority criteria can be based on dynamically changing parameters. The specific installation package can be obtained from the identified repository. |
| US09465599B2 |
Method, device and system for installing terminal software
The present invention provides a method, a device and a system for installing terminal software. The method comprises: a terminal determining to access a computer host as a driver according to attributes of a current port, and uploading an automatic operating program to the host; the host running the autorun program, and then the automatic operating program obtaining information related to terminal software on the host and feeding the obtained information related to terminal software back to the terminal; the terminal using the information related to terminal software to obtain corresponding terminal software from a server, and uploading the obtained terminal software to the host; and the automatic operating program installing the terminal software on the host. |
| US09465598B2 |
Deployment of branded software
A system for branding and deploying backup software includes a branding interface, a branding database, and an installer-generating server. The branding interface receives branding data from a partner associated with a partner machine. The branding database stores the received branding data. The installer-generating server generates a generic full installer capable of installing a software program and generates a branded installation shell in response to a request from the partner and using the stored branding data. The branded installation shell, when executed by the partner machine, retrieves the generic full installer from the installer-generating server. The branded installation shell causes the generic full installer to install in a branded location on the partner machine to make it appear as if the partner generated the software program installed by the generic full installer. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described. |
| US09465595B2 |
Computing apparatus, computing method, and computing program
A computing apparatus computes a performance value of a program which includes a specific code which is executed multiple times by the processor and an access instruction for instructing the processor to access a memory area. The computing apparatus includes: a determining unit that determines, whether or not a cache memory is available for use at a time of execution of the access instruction in a simulation of an operation in which the processor executes the program; a generating unit that generates, in a case where the first determining unit has determined that the cache memory is not available, a computational code for computing the performance value of the specific code for a case where the processor executes the specific code, based on performance values of individual instructions within the specific code for a case where the cache memory is not used, without depending on an attribute of the memory area. |
| US09465594B2 |
Distributed implementation of sequential code that includes a future
A distributed code including a plurality of programs is created based on a sequential code that includes at least one call of a first function associated with a future, where at least a first of the plurality of programs is to execute the first function associated with the future, and at least a second of the plurality of programs is to execute a second function in a present section of the sequential code. A normalization function is included in each of the plurality of programs to normalize virtual addresses accessed by the first and second functions. |
| US09465592B1 |
Injection of supplemental computer instructions
Application computer instructions can be provided to a publishing server. The publishing service can parse the application computer instructions to identify one or more locations where supplemental computer instructions can be inserted. Metadata about purchasable items can be obtained and the supplemental computer instructions can be written based on the item metadata. The supplemental computer instructions can be inserted into the application computer instructions. A publishable application can be created by compiling the application computer instructions with the inserted supplemental computer instructions. |
| US09465588B1 |
User programmable toy set
A user programmable toy set comprising a master toy member; a microcontroller; a group of transducers and sensors, a software compiling program, a web site are provided to support users to program an interactive toy. |
| US09465587B2 |
Preserving restful web service structure in a client consuming the restful web service
A computer system identifies a uniform resource identifier (URI) that corresponds to a resource of a RESTful web service. The URI contains elements. The computer system identifies a relationship between the elements of the URI and creates programming code for a method of a software development kit (SDK) client. The method reflects the relationships between the elements of the URI to facilitate communication with the resource of the RESTful web service. |
| US09465583B2 |
Random number generation using a network of mobile devices
A method, system, and computer program product for random number generation using a network of mobile devices are provided in the illustrative embodiments. From a set of mobile devices, a corresponding set of data packets is received. A presence of raw sensor data is detected in a first data packet received from a first mobile device in the set of mobile devices. The raw sensor data comprises data corresponding to changing value of an output of a sensor in a set of sensors installed in the first mobile device. The raw sensor data is separated from the first data packet, resulting in an original data packet. A first random number is generated using the raw sensor data. |
| US09465581B2 |
Automated method and system for predicting high resolution tidal heights and currents in coastal zones
System and method for automatically and regularly predicting water level and currents in coastal areas, without operator intervention. The system and method can enable automated operational forecasts at regular time intervals without operator intervention by using a grid and a computer forecast model that allows accurate prediction of tidal heights and currents in complex shoreline and bathymetry regions, single or parallel processing capability, optimal available processor assignment based on the size of computing domain, standard and other tidal database forcing in the open boundary, missing data gap-filling, and wind, bathymetry, and model-derived boundary condition model integration. |
| US09465579B2 |
Variable-latency speculating pipelined booth multiplier with statistical carry estimation for error detection and recovery
Provided is a method for processing pipelined data using a variable-latency speculating booth multiplier (VLSBM), including a first operation and a second operation. The first operation has the steps of partitioning partial products into a least significant part (LSP) and a most significant part (MSP), estimating a carry of the LSP, computing the MSP based on the estimated carry, computing the LSP independently to obtain a true carry and detecting a computation error by comparing the estimated carry with the true carry. Also, the second operation has the step of correcting the computation error based on the difference between the estimated carry and the true carry. Further, a VLSBM for processing pipelined data is also provided. |
| US09465578B2 |
Logic circuitry configurable to perform 32-bit or dual 16-bit floating-point operations
A system and method are provided for performing 32-bit or dual 16-bit floating-point arithmetic operations using logic circuitry. An operating mode that specifies an operating mode for a multiplication operation is received, where the operating mode is one of a 32-bit floating-point mode and a dual 16-bit floating-point mode. Based on the operating mode, nine recoding terms for a mantissa of at least one floating-point input operand are determined. A dual-mode multiplier array circuit that is configurable to generate partial products for either one 32-bit floating-point result or for two 16-bit floating-point results computes the partial products based on the nine recoding terms. The partial products are processed to generate an output based on the operating mode. |
| US09465576B1 |
First-in-first-out (FIFO) memory devices and methods having multiple queuing
A first-in-first-out (FIFO) memory device may include a plurality of memory locations configurable into M input queues comprising sequences of input data values and N output queues for storing sequences of output data values, wherein N is not equal to M. |
| US09465573B2 |
Portable presentation system and methods for use therewith
An assembly including a display configuration including presentation surface area juxtaposed within the conference space for viewing by an audience, the presentation surface area including at least first and second adjacent sub-spaces, a first processor linked to the display assembly and programmed to perform the steps of enabling a first interface that allows images to be presented via and moved among the sub-spaces by selecting images in the sub-spaces on the surface area and moving the images to different locations and a hand held device including a device display and a second processor programmed to present a second interface that presents instances of each image presented via the sub-spaces and enabling movement of the images among the different sub-spaces by moving representations of the images to locations on the device display, the second processor communicating wirelessly with the first processor to synchronize images. |
| US09465568B2 |
Printing management apparatus, printing management method, and computer-readable medium
A printing management apparatus includes a storage unit, a confirmation unit, a changing unit, and a processor. The storage unit stores schedule information including a correspondence among a visit schedule for a user to visit a visit destination, a printing schedule of target print data associated with the visit destination, and a printing location for the target print data. The confirmation unit confirms whether or not the visit schedule is to be changed, in accordance with a positional relationship between the visit destination and the user. When the visit schedule is changed, the changing unit changes the printing schedule in accordance with the change. The processor causes the target print data to be printed by using a printer installed in the printing location, in accordance with the printing schedule. |
| US09465567B1 |
Printer formatter in a removable card
A method and system for printing comprises executing a formatter program on a removable Personal Computer (PC) card that controls printer controller functions of a printer. Printer formatter ready data is received from a host machine at a first interface of the removable PC card and print engine ready data is sent to the printer from a second interface of the removable PC card. A version of the formatter program is compared to a version of an updated formatter program. The updated formatter program is requested if the version of the formatter program is different than the version of the updated formatter program. The updated formatter program is downloaded from the host machine using the first interface when the second interface is coupled to the printer. |
| US09465566B2 |
Device management apparatus, relay apparatus, relay method, and computer readable medium
A relay apparatus includes: a first transmission unit that transmits first information specifying the relay apparatus to the management apparatus through a network, in response to the relay apparatus being connected to the network; a collection unit that collects management information regarding a management target device, from the management target device connected to the network, in which the collection unit does not collect the management information from the management target device until an activation instruction is received from the management apparatus, and starts to collect the management information from the management target device only after the activation instruction is received from the management apparatus; and a second transmission unit that transmits the collected management information to the management apparatus. |
| US09465557B2 |
Load reduction dual in-line memory module (LRDIMM) and method for programming the same
A load reduction dual in-line memory module (LRDIMM) is similar to a registered dual in-line memory module (RDIMM) in which control signals are synchronously buffered but the LRDIMM includes a load reduction buffer (LRB) in the data path as well. To make an LRDIMM which appears compatible with RDIMMs on a system memory bus, the serial presence detector (SPD) of the LRDIMM is programmed with modified latency support and minimum delay values. When the dynamic read only memory (DRAMs) devices of the LRDIMM are subsequently set up by the host at boot time based on the parameters provided by the SPD, selected latency values are modified on the fly in an enhanced register phase look loop (RPLL) device. This has the effect of compensating for the delay introduced by the LRB without violating DRAM constraints, and provides memory bus timing for a LRDIMM that is indistinguishable from that of a RDIMM. |
| US09465553B2 |
Non-volatile memory systems and methods of managing power of the same
A non-volatile memory system and a method of managing the power of the same are provided. The non-volatile memory system includes a non-volatile memory configured to store a first mapping table comprising a list of a logical address and a physical address corresponding to the logical address with respect to a code region and a list of a logical address and a physical address corresponding to the logical address with respect to a general purpose (GP) region, and a controller configured to load the first mapping table from the non-volatile memory to a first memory and load the second mapping table from the non-volatile memory to a second memory. Power-up of the second memory is delayed with respect to power-up of the non-volatile memory system and the first or second memory is powered down if a condition is satisfied, so that power consumption of the non-volatile memory system is reduced. |
| US09465552B2 |
Selection of redundant storage configuration based on available memory space
A method includes, in a memory controller that controls a memory, evaluating an available memory space remaining in the memory to write data. A redundant storage configuration is selected in the memory controller depending on the available memory space. Redundancy information is calculated over the data using the selected redundant storage configuration. The data and the redundancy information are written to the available memory space in the memory. |
| US09465551B1 |
Write horizon data management
Conditions are enforced to prevent unintended deletion of data stored by a data storage system. For example, to delete a collection of data, a condition on the collection of data's size may be enforced. The collection may be required to be empty, for example. In addition, a condition that there not exist a pending data processing operation that can affect fulfillment of the condition on the collection of data's size is also enforced. |
| US09465547B2 |
Processing input/output requests using proxy and owner storage systems
A first storage system is configured as a proxy for a logical volume stored on a second storage system in a distributed computing environment. A probe request verifying availability of the logical volume is conveyed to an identified port, and upon receiving a response from a second storage system verifying the availability of the logical volume for an I/O request, the I/O request is conveyed to the identified port, a result of the I/O request is received from the identified port, the result is conveyed to the host computer. |
| US09465546B2 |
Memory control method, memory control program, and semiconductor integrated circuit device
A memory control method, which is configured to control data writing to a memory, includes securing a temporary write region in the memory; at the time of writing data to the memory, writing to the temporary write region based on a threshold time. The memory control method includes, when writing to a first portion of the temporary write region has not been completed by a time when the threshold time passed, canceling the writing to the first portion, and writing to a second portion that is different from the first portion of the temporary write region. |
| US09465545B2 |
Memory card and host device thereof
A memory card is attached to a host device, and includes a data control circuit which transfers data with respect to the host device in synchronism with a rise edge and a fall edge of a clock signal. |
| US09465544B2 |
Method of processing data and system using the same
A host generates an address array including a header and each start address to perform a data processing operation, which may for example be 4 Kbytes of a random read operation or a random write operation, and transmits a generated address array to a data storage device through a data bus. The data storage device, in the case of a random read operation, outputs each data corresponding to the each start address to the host successively by using the address array. In the case of a random write operation, the data storage device receives each data corresponding to each start address from the host and stores it in a memory core. |
| US09465542B2 |
Storage management system, management device and method therefor
A storage management method, includes steps: detecting sizes of shared storage spaces of all terminal devices joined in a sharing system; dividing the all terminal devices into a number of device groups randomly; classifying the terminal devices of each group into a number of kinds of terminal devices according to the sizes of the shared storage spaces of the terminal devices of each device group; mapping the shared storage spaces of each kind of terminal device of each device group to one corresponding virtual disk of one row of a virtual disk array card; and determining a size of a file to be stored when receiving a storing request, and selecting a virtual disk with size nearest to and greater than or equal to that of the file from one row randomly, and storing the file into the terminal devices mapping to the selected virtual disk. |
| US09465541B2 |
Apparatus and method for constructing storage virtualization network
An apparatus and a method for constructing a storage virtualization network are provided according to examples. The apparatus includes a storage module to store first area information. A management module determines whether a first apparatus belongs to the first area based on area information in a message sent by the first apparatus and the first area information. Second storage resources information of the first apparatus is obtained and first storage resources information is updated by utilizing the second storage resources information. |
| US09465539B2 |
Operation management in a memory device
Methods of operating a memory device include performing a first memory operation having an associated timing requirement; after completing the first memory operation, determining whether a timing margin between completion of the first memory operation and expiration of its associated timing requirement exceeds a length of time to perform a particular portion of a second memory operation; and performing the particular portion of the second memory operation between completion of the first memory operation and the expiration of its associated timing requirement if it is determined that the timing margin between completion of the first memory operation and expiration of its associated timing requirement exceeds the length of time to perform the particular portion of the second memory operation. |
| US09465534B2 |
Method for automatic computerized process control, and computerized system implementing the same
A method for automatic computerized process control includes: establishing a record of at least two pieces of data to respectively serve as at least two data codes, and at least one linking relationship between the data nodes, and performing an automatic process associated with the specific event according to the data nodes and the linking relationship in the record thus established. The data nodes and the linking relationship correspond to a specific event triggered by a user via a computerized system. |
| US09465533B2 |
Character input method and apparatus in portable terminal having touch screen
A character input method and apparatus in an electronic terminal are provided. The character input method includes displaying a virtual keypad having at least one key area to which a plurality of characters are associated, displaying a plurality of areas when a touch is detected on the at least one key area, detecting whether the touch includes a drag and inputting, after the drag is detected, a character mapped to an area corresponding to a point where the drag is released. |
| US09465532B2 |
Method and apparatus for operating in pointing and enhanced gesturing modes
Methods and apparatuses for implementing gesture command recognition functionality is disclosed. The apparatuses may operate in a pointing mode and operate in an enhanced gesturing mode. While in the enhanced gesturing mode, the apparatuses may cause associated actions in response to recognizing sliding inputs as gesture commands. The gesture commands may be selectively associated with actions based on localities. The apparatuses may present overlays with information content independent of gesture command recognition. The apparatuses may change appearances of visual representations of sliding inputs in response to recognizing the sliding inputs as gesture commands. |
| US09465526B2 |
Digital slate
Some embodiments provide a method performed by a digital slate. The method receives input of a first set of metadata for a particular video clip from a user. The method receives a second set of metadata for the particular video clip from a camera as the camera films the particular video clip. The method embeds the first and second sets of metadata in a data storage structure. The method transmits the data structure for later use in matching the first and second sets of metadata with the particular video clip. Some embodiments display at least a portion of the stored metadata about the particular video clip in front of a camera at the start of the particular video clip. |
| US09465517B2 |
Character input device and car navigation device equipped with character input device
A character input device provides a function of deleting an unconfirmed inputted character which the user is currently inputting, and a function of changing a confirmed character string to an unconfirmed state to a single correction key. Therefore, the character input device enables the user to carry out a character input efficiently by using limited space without requiring an excessive operation and arrangement of a new key for reconversion. Further, because the character input device holds the information on confirmed character strings even after all the character strings have been confirmed, the character input device enables the user to arbitrarily select a character string which the user wants to correct at any time, and re-edit only the portion. |
| US09465516B2 |
Operating system program launch menu search
An operating system program launch menu, such as a Start menu, provides various mechanisms for a user to quickly and efficiently locate and launch desired data items such as programs, data files, storage locations, and the like. A search box within the program launch menu may be used to quickly locate programs, documents, communications, and other data items. An auto-complete feature may be used, e.g., when the user restricts the locations searched for the user-entered search text. A most commonly used program list may include programs based on various criteria including both frequency of use and recent use, thereby always including a most recently used item. An all programs view may display programs and documents in a hosted-tree view within the original confines of the program launch menu, thereby negating the need to open sub-menus on top of a large portion of the desktop displayed on the display device. |
| US09465514B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a changed shortcut icon corresponding to a status thereof
A method of controlling a mobile apparatus which provides a changed shortcut icon corresponding to a status of the mobile apparatus is provided. The method includes displaying a shortcut icon, corresponding to a function in the mobile apparatus, on a display unit; recognizing the status of the mobile apparatus; changing an initial entry point of the shortcut icon to a changed entry icon as a function of the status; detecting an execution gesture for executing the shortcut icon; and executing the function using the changed entry point when the execution gesture is detected. |
| US09465510B2 |
Data visualisation system
A virtual environment is provided for displaying multidimensional models of data. Embodiments of the system provide an interface which allows a user to navigate intuitively and efficiently between alternative views of the data represented in the model, and to combine additional data categories with the existing model. Embodiments of the system draw upon cellular data stored in a database structure to represent the data in a graphical form on a visual display, wherein cellular data are data partitioned by at least two interrelated data categories into discrete ‘cells’. Models may be manipulated, viewed and compared using a user control device, such as a touch screen display. Alterations to the data stored in the database may be represented by commensurate changes to the objects displayed in the model, and the relational forms and shapes formed between the categories of data. |
| US09465507B2 |
Techniques to facilitate asynchronous communication
Users may communicate an idea asynchronously by including contextual information. The contextual information may be presented in multimodal annotations, suggestions of logical idea progression, and a chronological history of the project creation. The contextual information may include content captured from the real-world including from the user's immediate environment or elsewhere. |
| US09465506B2 |
System and method for displaying additional information associated with a messaging contact in a message exchange user interface
An unobtrusive tab is provided in a user interface (UI) used in communicating with a contact, for providing a notification of new information, and to enable access to the information or a representation of the information. The items provided in the information pane may also be selectable to enable further information to be displayed, e.g. an application related to or containing the selected item. Various data items can also be associated with items in the information pane in order to enable further content and information to be launched through selection of an item in the information pane. The information pane can be used as an alternative communication channel and portal for sending and receiving data items such as links, pictures, or other attachments to enable sharing between contacts without disrupting or cluttering a conversational exchange or consuming resources in a particular communication medium. |
| US09465501B2 |
Multi-layer micro-wire substrate method
A method of making a multi-layer micro-wire structure includes providing a substrate having a substrate edge and first and second layers formed over the substrate. One or more micro-channels are imprinted in each of the first and second layers and first and second micro-wires located in the imprinted micro-channels, the micro-wires forming at least a portion of an exposed connection pad in each layer. The second layer edge is farther from the substrate edge than the first layer edge for at least a portion of the second layer edge so that the first connection pads are exposed through the second layer. |
| US09465497B2 |
Touch sensing system
A touch sensing system includes a plurality of touch sensors, sensing lines connected to the touch sensors, a touch sensing integrated circuit (IC) sensing a touch input using signals received through a plurality of receiving channels, a plurality of differential amplifiers which are formed between the sensing lines and the receiving channels of the touch sensing IC and amplify a difference between touch sensor signals received through adjacent sensing lines, and a multiplexer which connects the adjacent sensing lines to input terminals of each differential amplifier in a forward sensing mode and switches the adjacent sensing lines connected to the input terminals of each differential amplifier in a reverse sensing mode. |
| US09465496B2 |
Capacitive in-cell touch panel and display device
The embodiments of the present invention disclose a capacitive in-cell touch panel and a display device, which are configured so that the entirety of a common electrode layer in an array substrate is divided into a plurality of touch sensing electrodes and a plurality of touch driving electrodes insulated from each other; at least one data signal line is used through time division multiplex access as a touch read signal line, thus production cost is saved and production efficiency is improved; and the respective touch read signal line is connected with a corresponding touch sensing electrode through at least one signal switch unit. During a display period, the touch driving electrodes and the touch sensing electrodes are applied with a common electrode signal to achieve a normal display function; and during a touch period, the touch driving electrodes are applied with a touch scan signal, and the signal switch units are switched on, through which the touch scan signal coupled with the touch sensing electrodes is outputted to the touch read signal line. |
| US09465493B2 |
Touchscreen device and method of sensing touch
There are provided a touchscreen device and a method of sensing a touch. The touchscreen device includes: a panel unit including a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes; a driving circuit unit simultaneously applying driving signals to M first electrodes among the first electrodes, where M is a natural number equal to or greater than two; a sensing circuit unit detecting capacitance generated in intersections between the first electrodes and the second electrodes so as to output sensing signals; and an operation unit determining whether a touch has occurred, based on the sensing signals. |
| US09465489B2 |
Randomized mesh design
In one embodiment, an apparatus may include a touch sensor that includes a mesh of conductive material. The mesh includes a number of mesh cells that each have a number of vertices. Each of the vertices has a substantially randomized location within an annulus centered at a seed location of the vertex. The apparatus may also include one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media coupled to the touch sensor and embodying logic that is configured when executed to control the touch sensor. |
| US09465487B2 |
Optical touch sensitive apparatus and image capturing apparatus
An optical touch sensitive apparatus includes a substrate, a plurality of image capturing lens modules, a light detecting unit, and an optical path switching unit. The substrate has an operation surface. Each of the image capturing lens modules has a light input end and a light output end. The light input end is located at the edge of the substrate for capturing optical information in an objective space above the operation surface. The light output end is for outputting the optical information. The optical path switching unit is located among the light output ends and the light detecting unit for transmitting the optical information outputted from at least one of the light output ends to the light detecting unit. In addition, an image capturing apparatus is provided. |
| US09465486B2 |
Portable interactive whiteboard module
A system for determining a touch point's location within a user-definable region is provided. The system comprises plural modules. In a set-up stage, a user positions each module to define a peripheral point of the region. Exemplarily, a module comprises a means for detecting alignment between the module and another one, a means for measuring an inter-module distance, and a means for making wireless data communication. In particular, the detecting of the alignment and the measuring of the inter-module distance are configured to be performed without physically connect the two modules together. Hence, a geometric coordinate of the module relative to the other one is determinable without a need to physically connect the two modules. The system can thereby be compactly packed for traveling to give an advantage of high portability to a portable interactive whiteboard system that incorporates such system. |
| US09465484B1 |
Forward and backward looking vision system
A vision system associated with a projection system includes multiple optical pathways. For instance, when the projection system projects an image onto a generally vertical surface, the vision system may operate in a rear sensing mode, such as for detecting one or more gestures made by a user located behind the projection system. Alternatively, when the projection system projects the image onto a generally horizontal surface the vision system may operate in a front sensing mode for detecting gestures made by a user located in front of the projection system. One or more thresholds may be established for switching between the front sensing mode and the rear sensing mode based on orientation information. As another example, the vision system may be operated in both the front sensing mode and the rear sensing mode contemporaneously. |
| US09465481B2 |
Method for performing touch detection and touch detection module therefor
A method and apparatus for performing touch detection within a touch sensing application is described. Touch sensor signal data is received, a first filtering of the received touch sensor signal data to create a first filtered data signal is performed, a second filtering of the received touch sensor signal data to create a second filtered data signal is also performed, a difference between the first and second filtered data signals to determine a delta value is calculated, and an occurrence of a touch based at least partly on the determined delta value is determined. |
| US09465480B2 |
Position detection apparatus, adjustment method, and adjustment program
A position detection apparatus includes: a radiation section that radiates planar light along a target flat surface; a detection section that captures an image of an area irradiated with the light from the radiation section to detect the position of an object that reflects the light radiated from the radiation section; and an adjustment assistance section that transmits, when adjustment of installation of the radiation section is performed, a predetermined output based on a detection result obtained from the detection section when the detection section detects a reference object for the adjustment placed on the target flat surface. |
| US09465479B2 |
Mobile terminal and image converting method thereof
An image converting method for a mobile terminal may include displaying a first image on a display unit, designating a partial area (or object) of the first image in response to a touch input, and outputting the designated partial area into a second image having a different stereoscopic type from the first image. |
| US09465474B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining input in computing equipment with touch screen
An apparatus and method for determining a key input in computing equipment having a touch screen are provided. The method for determining the key input in the computing equipment includes, upon occurrence of a touch input on the touch screen, determining an input type of the touch input, expanding a key input recognition region of at least one key when the input type is a finger touch input, and detecting the key input according to the expanded key input recognition region. |
| US09465471B2 |
Transparent electrode layer, touch panel and electronic device
A transparent electrode layer includes plural touch units. Each of the touch units includes a sensing part and a wiring part. The sensing part has at least one dummy slit. The wiring part is electrically connected to the sensing part, and includes at least one conductor line and at least one slit. The at least one conductor line and the at least one slit are alternately formed in the wiring part. A density ratio, in a range between 0.5 and 2, is determined by a sensing part density parameter and a wiring part density parameter. |
| US09465468B2 |
Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
A mobile terminal including a camera; a touchscreen; and a controller configured to start recording a video through the camera, display an editing region on the currently recording video including a time axis for a previously recorded part of the currently recording video and a plurality of thumbnail images listed on the time axis, receive an input of selecting a first point in the editing region for selecting a first portion of the previously recorded part while the video is currently being recorded, and overwrite the first portion of the previously recorded part with video currently being recorded. |
| US09465466B2 |
Method and apparatus for sensing gesture toward touch input device
Examples of sensing a gesture with respect to a touch input device are described. For example, a method to sense a gesture may include acquiring a distance between a finger, which may not be in contact with the touch input device, and at least two heat sensing spots on the touch input device. The acquired distances may be compared to identify the shortest distance. The gesture of the finger toward the touch input device may be identified based on the shortest distance being less than a predetermined threshold. The described techniques and examples may improve overall performance of system that may be equipped with the touch input device. |
| US09465465B2 |
Multilayer body forming display apparatus touchpad
A touchpad apparatus extends, without having to be covered by a cover, up to an outer housing edge of an operating device. In two possible cases, not only touchpads and connections between the touchpads in the touchpad area are formed by patterns of conductive strips which cannot be resolved by the human eye, but also contact connection lines which connect contact elements to each other at two sides of the touchpad area. |
| US09465460B2 |
Method for controlling display of electronic device and electronic device using the same
A method for controlling a display of an electronic device is proposed along with the electronic device using the same. The electronic device has the display and a touch sensor disposed on the display. The method includes the following steps. The touch sensor is driven when the display is not driven to display an image. A sensing signal is received from the touch sensor. First information is determined based on the sensing signal. The first information is compared with first predetermined information. The display is driven to display the image when the first information matches the predetermined information. |
| US09465459B2 |
Electronic device including touch-sensitive display and method of detecting noise
An electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display that includes drive electrodes and sense electrodes configured to detect touches on the touch-sensitive display, a noise-detection electrode spaced from the drive electrodes and the sense electrodes, at least one controller operably coupled to the drive electrodes, the sense electrodes, and the noise-detection electrode and configured to detect touches on the touch-sensitive display utilizing the drive electrodes and the sense electrodes, and detect noise utilizing the noise-detection electrode during touch detection. |
| US09465458B1 |
Surface display assemblies
Presentation by a display is enhanced by placing the active elements of the display at or substantially proximate to the surface of an electronic device. Such placement improves image quality, reduces shadow on the display, improves spill resistance, and minimizes the overall profile of the device. |
| US09465456B2 |
Reduce stylus tip wobble when coupled to capacitive sensor
Algorithms can be used to reduce stylus tip wobble for a stylus translating on a surface over and between electrodes of a touch sensor panel. In some examples, a first position estimate can be calculated using a first position calculation method and a second position estimate can be calculated using a second position calculation method. The position of the stylus can be determined based on a weighted combination of the first and second position estimates. In some examples, the first position estimate can be calculated using an even-point centroid of signal contributions from an even number of electrodes of a touch sensor panel and the second position estimate can be calculated using an odd-point centroid of signal contributions from an odd number of electrodes. In some examples, the weighting can be assigned based on a ratio of the two largest amplitude signals and based on a ratio of the second and third largest amplitude signals. |
| US09465451B2 |
Method, system and computer program product for obtaining and displaying supplemental data about a displayed movie, show, event or video game
Method, system and computer program product for displaying additional information about a displayed point of interest. A region region within a particular frame of a display can be selected to access additional information about a point of interest associated with the region. The additional information can be displayed on a secondary display, in response to selecting the region within the particular frame of the display to access the additional information about the point of interested associated with the region. |
| US09465446B2 |
Electronic device including mechanical keyboard having touch sensors for detecting touches and actuation of mechanical keys
An electronic device includes a keyboard. The keyboard includes a plurality of mechanical keys including a first key, and capacitive touch sensors including a first capacitive touch sensor and a second capacitive touch sensor. The keyboard is configured to detect a touch on the first key utilizing the first capacitive touch sensor and the second capacitive touch sensor, and to detect actuation of the first key when the first capacitive touch sensor is electrically coupled to the second capacitive touch sensor. |
| US09465442B2 |
Optical proximity sensor system having reduced sensitivity to distinct near-field optical effects
A portable electronic device including a proximity sensing device having an emitter and a detector. The electronic device further including a housing for containing the proximity sensing device which includes an optical interface forming a face of the housing through which radiation between the emitter and the detector pass. The optical interface may include an oleophobic coating which is selectively modified such that optical interference from an optical interface near-field object on the proximity sensing device is reduced without reducing a sensitivity of the proximity sensing device to a target near-field object. |
| US09465439B2 |
Electronic device and control method of electronic device
An electronic device includes a tactile sensation providing unit 30 configured to provide a tactile sensation to a contact object being in contact with a panel 10 and a controller 50 configured to control the tactile sensation providing unit 30 on the basis of data based on press to the panel 10 and data threshold corresponding to the data. After the tactile sensation providing unit 30 provides a tactile sensation, the controller 50 changes the data threshold in response to the data based on press to the panel 10. |
| US09465436B2 |
System and method of image reconstruction
A method of image reconstruction is provided. The method includes capturing a stereoscopic pair of images of a scene, generating a disparity map for the pair of images, and defining a series of value ranges corresponding to disparity with each value range in the series having an end point corresponding to a greater disparity than an end point of preceding value ranges in the series. For each value range in the series, and progressing in order through the series from the first value range in the series, the method includes selecting points in the disparity map falling within the respective value range and generating a mesh responsive to those selected points. The method also includes subsequently merging the series of generated meshes to form a 3D model of the scene. |
| US09465435B1 |
Segmentation of a video based on user engagement in respective segments of the video
Systems and methods for segmenting a video based on user engagement in respective segments of the video are presented. In one or more aspects, a system is provided that includes an engagement component configured to receive information regarding respective engagement of a plurality of users in connection with respective segments of a video. The system further includes an analysis component configured to analyze the information and calculate user engagement scores for the respective video segments, wherein the user engagement scores reflect level of the plurality of users' interest regarding the respective video segments, and an identification component configured to identify a subset of the video segments associated with relatively higher user engagement scores in comparison to other video segments. |
| US09465431B2 |
Power management method and apparatus
A power management method in a user terminal receives a power from a power supply unit to charge a system voltage, compares the system voltage with a preset voltage, and controls a power input from the power supply unit according to the comparison result. |
| US09465429B2 |
In-cell multifunctional pixel and display
A multifunctional pixel is disclosed. The multifunctional pixel may include a display pixel, a photoelectric sensor, and a second sensor. The second sensor may include one of the following: an ultrasonic sensor and an infrared sensor. The display pixel, the photoelectric sensor, and the second sensor may be located in the multifunctional pixel. |
| US09465425B2 |
Power over ethernet (POE) dynamic power supply system
A power sourcing equipment (PSE) device including a power over Ethernet (PoE) interface. A processor is coupled to the PoE interface. A memory is coupled to the processor and includes instruction that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a number of functions. The processor may supply power at a first power level to a PD that is coupled to the PoE interface. The processor may then determine an actual power consumption of the PD. The processor may then send a first Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) packet to the PD over the PoE interface that includes first proposed power level information that is based on the actual power consumption of the PD. Then processor may then supply power to the PD at a second power level that is different from the first power level. |
| US09465417B2 |
Cluster system, method and device for expanding cluster system
A method for expanding a cluster system is provided. The cluster system includes at least one Cluster Central Chassis (CCC), and a newly-added Cluster Line-card Chassis (CLC) connected with the CCC to form the cluster system. The method includes the following steps. A control plane is established. An equipment management right is switched to the CCC, so that the CCC manages the newly-added CLC. Meanwhile, a cluster line-card device, a cluster central exchange device, and a cluster system are further provided. In implementation, smooth expansion can be achieved without interrupting running equipment services in the CLC current network and without interrupting data services. Moreover, during the expansion process, hardware equipment needs not to be replaced, thus investment of users on the equipment is reduced. |
| US09465413B2 |
Keyboard configuration for an electronic device
Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device, such as a notebook computer or laptop, that includes including a base portion and a keyboard assembly at least partially disposed in the base portion. The keyboard assembly may include a first portion having at least a first key of a first thickness, and a second portion having at least a second key of a second thickness. The first thickness is different than the second thickness. In a particular embodiment, the first thickness is less than the second thickness. In a particular embodiment, the first portion includes a key row of the keyboard assembly. In still another more particular embodiment, the first portion is a top key row of the keyboard assembly. In still another more particular embodiment, the first portion is a bottom key row of the keyboard assembly. In particular embodiments, a reduced thickness of the first portion may provide for additional space within the base portion to allow other components to be located therein. |
| US09465412B2 |
Input device layers and nesting
Input device layer and nesting techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a pressure sensitive key assembly including a substrate having a plurality of hardware elements secured to a surface. The input device also includes one or more layers disposed proximal to the surface, the one or more layers having respective openings configured to nest the one or more hardware elements therein. |
| US09465410B2 |
Electronic device housing and method for manufacturing the same
An electronic device housing includes a first housing, a second housing, a limiting member, and a fastening member. The first housing includes a bottom wall, a top wall, and a sidewall coupling the bottom wall and the top wall. The bottom wall, the sidewall, and the top wall cooperatively define a receiving chamber. The top wall of the first housing defines a limiting hole. The second housing is adhered to the first housing and received in the receiving chamber. The second housing includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface and the bottom surface are adhered to the corresponding top wall and bottom wall. The limiting member is inserted in the limiting hole and resists against the top surface of the second housing. The fastening member couples the top wall of the first housing and the top surface of the second housing. |
| US09465409B2 |
Docking station
A docking station for installing a portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device includes a display surface and at least one slot located at one side of the display surface. The docking station includes a supporting structure, at least one hook, and at least one first magnetic element. The supporting structure includes a body and a shell. The shell covers the body. The hook is disposed on the body and extrudes out of the supporting surface of the shell. The first magnetic element is disposed on the body and located in the shell. The hook is adapted to inlay in the slot and the first magnetic element is adapted to attract the portable electronic device, such that the portable electronic device is fixed on the supporting structure. |
| US09465408B2 |
Display apparatus, fabricating method thereof and optical adhesive
A display apparatus includes a first panel, a display panel disposed at one side of the first panel, a film with a hallow region disposed between the first panel and the display panel, and an optical adhesive disposed in the hollow region of the film and between the first panel and the display panel. |
| US09465404B2 |
Timing synchronization circuit for wireless communication apparatus
A transmission node includes a digital front-end device that provides functional clocks for JESD204B based data transmission. The front-end device includes a PLL for generating a phase locked clock based on a device clock of the front-end device, a clock dividing unit for generating the functional clocks by dividing the phase locked clock, a clock gating unit connected between the PLL and the clock dividing unit, and a system reference signal sampling unit for timing radio frame boundaries. The clock gating unit gates the phase locked clock to align the functional clocks with the device clock within a predetermined number of cycles of the phase locked clock, upon locking of the PLL or receipt of a system resynchronization request. The system reference signal sampling unit samples the system reference signal with zero-cycle latency between device clock and phase locked clock. |
| US09465401B2 |
Systems and methods for magnetic shielding
Systems and methods for magnetic shielding are described. A magnetic shield formed of a material having a high magnetic permeability may be degaussed using a toroidal degaussing coil. The toroidal degaussing coil may enclose at least a portion of the shield. Magnetic field gradients may be actively compensated using multiple magnetic field sensors and local compensation coils. Trapped fluxons may be removed by an application of Lorentz force wherein an electrical current is passed through a superconducting plane. |
| US09465395B2 |
Voltage generating circuit
A voltage generating circuit includes: (1) a driving unit having an input terminal and an output terminal, wherein the input terminal is configured to receive an input signal, wherein when the input signal is at a first logic level, power is configured to be charged from a first voltage terminal to the output terminal, and when the input signal is at a second logic level, power is configured to be discharged from the output terminal to a second voltage terminal; (2) a first switch configured to couple the second voltage terminal to a capacitance-compensating terminal based on the input signal; (3) a compensating capacitor configured to be coupled between the capacitance-compensating terminal and a third voltage terminal; and (4) a second switch configured to couple the capacitance-compensating terminal to a fourth voltage terminal based on the input signal. |
| US09465390B2 |
Position-controlled robotic fleet with visual handshakes
Example methods and systems may provide for a system that includes a control system communicatively coupled to a first robotic device and a second robotic device. The control system may identify a collaborative operation to be performed by a first robotic device and a second robotic device that is based on a relative positioning between the first robotic device and the second robotic device. The control system may also determine respective locations of the first robotic device and the second robotic device. The control system may further initiate a movement of the first robotic device along a path from the determined location of the first robotic device towards the determined location of the second robotic device. The first robotic device and the second robotic device may then establish a visual handshake that indicates the relative positioning between the first robotic device and the second robotic device for the collaborative operation. |
| US09465379B2 |
Methods for consolidating module types for industrial control systems
A programmable discrete input module is described. In one or more implementations, the programmable discrete input module comprises a pulse width modulation module configured to generate a pulse width modulated signal based upon an input signal and a pulse width demodulation module configured to generate a demodulated pulse width signal. An isolator is configured to isolate the pulse width modulation module and the pulse width demodulation module and to generate isolated modulated pulse width signal based upon the pulse width modulated signal for the pulse width demodulation module to generate the demodulated pulse width signal. The programmable discrete input module also includes a first comparator and a second comparator for comparing the demodulated pulse width signal with a respective programmable reference and a digital filter configured to filter a comparison signal output by the first comparator or the second comparator to generate a discrete input signal. |
| US09465369B2 |
System method for sending messages and commands to a device at a location distanced from the sending device
A consumer electronics (CE) device includes at least one processor and at least one computer readable storage medium accessible to the processor. The medium is programmed with instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute logic including detecting the position of the CE device and sending a command to at least one apparatus at a location distanced from the CE device to establish at least one configuration of the apparatus. The command is sent responsive to a determination that the CE device is passing a predefined distance from a location. |
| US09465368B1 |
Authentication system and method thereof
A haptic-based identification, authentication, authorization, and context aware authorization system usable with a touch-enabled device having a touch screen haptic interface, touch-enabled device receiving a plurality of inputs during interaction with a user which includes a storage space to store a first plurality of inputs corresponding to an authenticated user and a central processing unit (CPU) in communication with the storage space and the touch-enabled device to compare the first plurality of inputs with a second plurality of inputs inputted by the user, wherein the CPU authenticates the user to the touch-enabled device when the inputted second plurality of inputs is determined to be similar to the first plurality of inputs. |
| US09465363B2 |
Timepiece oscillator mechanism
A timepiece oscillator comprising a structure and distinct, temporally and geometrically offset, primary resonators, each comprising a mass returned to the structure by an elastic return means, this timepiece oscillator comprises coupling means for the interaction of the primary resonators, comprising a wheel set subjected to a torque or drive force, this wheel set comprising drive and guide means arranged to drive and guide a control means articulated with transmission means, each articulated, remote from the control means, with a mass of a primary resonator, and the primary resonators and the wheel set are arranged such that the axes of articulation of any two of the primary resonators and the axis of articulation of the control means are never coplanar. |
| US09465361B2 |
Image based multiview multilayer holographic rendering algorithm
Algorithms for improved and more efficient rendering of three-dimensional images for use with holographic display systems. These algorithms include creating layers orthogonal to a viewing direction, the separate layers representing different depths in the image. The layers are created based on knowing the color and depth of each point in the image. Each layer then goes through an FFT process until the information for each layer is represented as a diffraction pattern. A holographic lens is then applied to the diffraction pattern of each layer. This lens will cause that layer to appear, in a hologram based thereon, at a different depth than the other layers. The layers, each with their separate lenses, are then coherently summed up and when applied to a suitable portion of a holographic display system (e.g., an SLM), a hologram can be created for that view. A tiled array of such holograms can be combined together by the holographic display system. |
| US09465354B2 |
Imaging cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the same
An imaging cartridge includes a photoconductive unit including a photoconductor on which an elastic latent image is formed; a development unit including a development roller that supplies toner to the photoconductor to develop the toner and a gap maintaining member that constrains an approach distance of the development roller with respect to the photoconductor; a first position determining portion provided in the development unit; a lateral bracket that is fixed to a side portion of the photoconductive unit and has a second position determining portion that guides the first position determining portion so as to movably support the development unit; and an elastic member that applies to the development unit an elastic force in a direction in which the development roller approaches the photoconductive unit. |
| US09465353B2 |
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position. |
| US09465352B2 |
Developer container, developing device, process cartridge, method for forming developer container, method for forming developing device, and method for forming process cartridge
A developer container includes a frame configured to store developer, a conductive member provided on the frame, and a conductive contact member formed of resin on an outer side of the frame so as to be in contact with a part of the conductive member that is exposed from the frame to establish conduction. The contact member includes a protruding portion that is disposed at a portion to be in contact with the conductive member and protrudes toward the conductive member. The conductive member includes an engaging portion that is formed to fit with the protruding portion and configured to engage with the protruding portion. As a result, stable conductivity is secured by simplifying the configuration of the contact member for electrically connecting the conductive member provided on the frame, to an image forming apparatus main body. |
| US09465348B2 |
Power supply device, image forming apparatus, and voltage output method
According to an aspect of the present invention, a power supply device includes: a DC power supply that outputs a DC voltage; an AC power supply that outputs any one of the DC voltage and a superimposed voltage being the DC voltage with an AC voltage superimposed thereon; and a bypass capacitor that charges a part of a voltage that is output from the AC power supply. The DC power supply starts outputting the DC voltage in a constant voltage mode and, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, switches from the constant voltage mode to a constant current mode to output the DC voltage in the constant current mode. |
| US09465345B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, including a conveyer unit, an image forming unit, and a registration unit, is provided. The conveyer includes a first roller, a second roller, and a belt having a first surface to contact the sheet. The image forming unit forms an image on the sheet in an image forming area. The registration unit is on an upstream side of the image forming area and includes a third roller and a fourth roller. A rotation axis of the third roller is on a side of the first surface, and a rotation axis of the fourth roller is on a side of a second surface of the belt, which is a reverse surface of the first surface. The registration unit manipulates the third and fourth rollers to align the sheet with a reference orientation and convey the sheet to the belt. |
| US09465344B2 |
Image formation apparatus
An image formation apparatus includes: a conveyance unit provided to convey a long medium provided with conveyance indexes at a predetermined conveyance index spacing; a print unit provided to perform printing on the medium; a cutter unit provided to cut the medium; an index detector provided to detect the conveyance indexes; a print controller configured to drive the print unit to perform printing in response to detection of the conveyance indexes; a cut controller configured to cause the cutter unit to cut the medium in response to detection of the conveyance indexes; and a conveyance controller configured to form a slack in the medium by driving the conveyance unit. The print controller performs printing based on a virtual conveyance index when the medium having the slack is cut. |
| US09465341B2 |
Image forming apparatus that detects variation in rotation period of rotating member and performs misregistration correction
An image forming apparatus includes a rotating member; a forming unit for each of a plurality of colors used in image formation, configured to form a developer image of the corresponding color on the rotating member or on a recording medium on the rotating member; a driving unit configured to rotate the rotating member; a period detection unit configured to detect a rotation period of the rotating member; and a control unit configured to, according to a detection result detected by the period detection unit, obtain a variation in the rotation period of the rotating member due to a change in the driving unit, and perform correction control for misregistration in the developer image formed on the rotating member or on the recording medium on the rotating member by the forming unit. |
| US09465339B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus having the same
A fixing device including a lubricant supply unit is provided. The lubricant supply unit supplies a lubricant between a fixing belt and a nip forming member and includes a lubricant storage member and an impregnation member. The lubricant storage member stores the lubricant, and the impregnation member impregnates the lubricant discharged from the lubricant storage member and supplies the lubricant to an inner surface of the fixing belt. The lubricant stored in the lubricant storage member includes base oil and a thickener, and a weight of the thickener is equal to or less than 20% with respect to a weight of the lubricant. |
| US09465332B1 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
Provided is a fixing device including a rotating body that comes into contact with a surface of a light-transmitting recording medium which holds a toner image obtained by developing with a developer liquid, and absorbs a carrier liquid on the recording medium and the toner image, the developer liquid including a toner and the carrier liquid and the surface holding the toner image, a light-transmitting pressure member that is in contact with the rotating body and forms a pressure contact area in which the recording medium is pushed on the rotating body and passes between the light-transmitting pressure member and the rotating body, and an irradiating unit that irradiates the toner image with a laser beam when the recoding medium is present in the pressure contact area after the laser beam is transmitted through a portion of the pressure member. |
| US09465331B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, an image forming device, a transfer member, and a contact-and-separation device. The contact-and-separation device starts a contact operation to move the transfer member to contact the image bearer according to an entry of a recording medium into a transfer nip. The thinner the recording medium, the faster a contacting speed at which the transfer member moves to contact the image bearer. The thicker the recording medium, the slower the contacting speed. |
| US09465328B2 |
Transfer member and image formation apparatus
A transfer member having high durability while having an excellent transfer function is provided. An image formation apparatus in which high quality images can be obtained for an extended period of time is also provided. A transfer member having an endless belt shape and constituting an image formation apparatus of an electrophotographic system includes an elastic body layer and a surface layer formed thereon. The surface layer contains metal oxide fine particles subjected to a surface treatment, in a cured resin obtained by curing an active energy ray-curable composition that contains three ingredients of a multifunctional (meth)acrylate, a polyurethane acrylate and a polymerizable component having a low surface energy group. |
| US09465327B1 |
Transfer mechanism and image forming apparatus
Provided is a transfer mechanism including a rotor that configures a transfer section which transfers an image including a flat pigment to a recording medium, a second gear that engages with a first gear provided in a support, a to-be-supported object that is provided with the rotor and the second gear, is supported by the support through a shaft portion of the rotor, and is allowed to move around the shaft portion in a direction in which engagement of the second gear with the first gear becomes weaker, and a member that presses or pulls the to-be-supported object in a direction in which the engagement becomes stronger. |
| US09465323B2 |
Liquid electrophotography printing apparatus and methods thereof
According to an example, a liquid electrophotography printing (LEP) apparatus includes a fluid chamber to store fluid to be used to form an image and a filtration assembly to filter the fluid of the fluid chamber. The filtration assembly may store a filtration material to filter the fluid received from the fluid chamber and may provide the filtered fluid to the fluid chamber. The LEP apparatus may also include a detector assembly to detect a fluid parameter of the filtered fluid in the fluid chamber and a filtration adder unit to add a predetermined amount of the filtration material to the filtration assembly in response to a detection of the fluid parameter by the detector assembly. |
| US09465308B2 |
Imprint apparatus, imprint method and method of manufacturing an article
The present invention provides an imprint apparatus including a control unit configured to perform detection process, wherein the detection process includes first process in which a detection optical system is caused to detect a mold-side mark in a state in which a substrate state is positioned such that a reference mark is located outside the field of view of the detection optical system, and second process in which the detection optical system is caused to detect the reference mark in a state in which the mold stage is positioned such that the mold-side mark is out of focus with respect to the detection optical system, and the substrate stage is positioned such that the reference mark is located inside the field of view of the detection optical system. |
| US09465301B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A liquid supply system for an immersion lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which a space is defined between the projection system, a barrier member and a substrate. The barrier member is not sealed such that, during use, immersion liquid is allowed to flow out the space and between the barrier member and the substrate. |
| US09465298B2 |
Pattern forming method, resist composition for multiple development used in the pattern forming method, developer for negative development used in the pattern forming method, and rinsing solution for negative development used in the pattern forming method
A pattern forming method, including: (A) coating a substrate with a positive resist composition of which solubility in a positive developer increases and solubility in a negative developer decreases upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation, so as to form a resist film; (B) exposing the resist film; and (D) developing the resist film with a negative developer; a positive resist composition for multiple development used in the method; a developer for use in the method; and a rinsing solution for negative development used in the method. |
| US09465296B2 |
Nanopatterning method and apparatus
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and apparatus useful in the nanopatterning of large area substrates, where a movable nanostructured film is used to image a radiation-sensitive material. The nanopatterning technique makes use of Near-Field photolithography, where the nanostructured film used to modulate light intensity reaching radiation-sensitive layer. The Near-Field photolithography may make use of an elastomeric phase-shifting mask, or may employ surface plasmon technology, where a movable film comprises metal nano holes or nanoparticles. |
| US09465289B2 |
Photosensitive resin composition for display device insulation film, and display device insulation film and display device using same
The present invention discloses a photosensitive resin composition for an insulating film of a display device including (A) an alkali soluble resin; (B) a photosensitive diazoquinone compound; (C) a color material having a maximum absorption wavelength of 400 to 550 nm; and (D) a solvent, an insulation film using the same, and a display device including the insulation film. |
| US09465288B2 |
Sulfonium salt compound, method for producing the same, and photoacid generator
Provided is a sulfonium salt compound represented by the following general formula (I): where R1 and R2 each denote the same or a different alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, R3 and R4 each denote the same or a different alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and X− denotes a sulfone imide anion or a perfluoroalkanesulfonic acid anion, wherein the substituents denoted by R3O and R4O are each located at an arbitrary position selected from the 2-position to the 8-position of the naphthyl group. |
| US09465286B2 |
Photomask, method of correcting error thereof, integrated circuit device manufactured by using the photomask, and method of manufacturing the integrated circuit device
Provided are a photomask and a method of correcting errors thereof. The photomask includes a multilayer reflection film covering one side surface of a substrate and an energy receiving layer covering the other side surface of the substrate. The method includes determining a local correction position on a frontside surface of the photomask according to a detected error of the photomask, and locally applying an energy beam to a backside surface region of the photomask aligned with the local correction position in a thickness direction of the photomask. The invention may be applicable to structures other than photomasks that benefit from modification of surface heights or selectively applied stress. |
| US09465280B2 |
Projector apparatus and projector support table
A projector apparatus includes a projector and a projector support table. The projector support table includes a turning unit and a fixed unit. The turning unit includes a projector support unit to which the projector can be attached. The fixed unit includes an intake port, and turnably supports the turning unit. The fixed unit also includes a first intake passage through which the intake air taken from the intake port passes. The turning unit also includes an intake air taking port for taking the intake air having passed through the first intake passage, a second intake passage through which the intake air taken from the intake air taking port passes, and an intake air discharging port for discharging, to the intake port of the projector, the intake air having passed through the second intake passage. |
| US09465277B2 |
Lens hood and lens apparatus including the same
There is provided a lens hood that, when attached to a front end portion of a lens barrel, enables easy operation of an optical member attached to the front end portion of the lens barrel and is strong against external shocks. The lens hood attachable to the front end portion of the lens barrel includes a hood body with which an opening is formed, an opening cover member configured to cover the opening, and a cover support member configured to slidably fix the opening cover member to the hood body, wherein the hood body or the cover support member includes a plurality of abutted portions to be abutted by the opening cover member in the sliding direction. |
| US09465276B2 |
Webcam privacy shield
A webcam privacy shield is magnetically attached to a bezel of an electronic display that includes a webcam. The webcam privacy shield is positioned in either a shielded position where light is blocked from entering the lens of the webcam by positioning an opaque portion of the webcam privacy shield over the lens of the webcam, or an operating position where light is allowed to enter the lens of the webcam by positioning a transparent portion of the webcam privacy shield of the lens of the webcam. Sliding the webcam privacy shield between the shielded position and the operating position allows the user to selectively maintain their privacy from the webcam, or use the webcam. |
| US09465275B2 |
Imaging device and focal plane shutter
An imaging device includes: a focal plane shutter including: a board including an opening; a leading shutter and a trailing shutter opening and closing the opening; a leading shutter actuator and a trailing shutter actuator respectively driving the leading shutter and the trailing shutter; and a restrict portion that restricts reciprocating movement ranges of the leading shutter and the trailing shutter, an image pickup element which light enters through the opening; and a drive control portion. |
| US09465274B1 |
High-yield entangled single photon source
The various technologies presented herein relate to utilizing photons at respective idler and signal frequencies to facilitate generation of photons at a pump frequency. A strong pump field can be applied at the ωi and the ωs frequencies, with the generated idler and signal pulses being utilized to generate a photon pair at the ωp frequency. Further, the idler pump power can be increased relative to the signal pump power such that the pump power Pi>pump power Ps. Such reversed operation (e.g., ωi+ωs→ωp1+ωp2) can minimize and/or negate Raman scattering effects. By complying with an energy conservation requirement, the ωi and ωs photons interacting with the material through the four-wave mixing process facilitates the entanglement of the ωp1 and ωp2 photons. The ωi and ωs photons can be respectively formed in different length waveguides with a delay utilized to facilitate common timing between the ωi and ωs photons. |
| US09465265B2 |
Liquid crystal display pixel
A liquid crystal display (LCD) pixel includes a first substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on the first substrate, an insulation layer configured to overlap at least a portion of the first electrode and the second electrode, a first slit electrode and a second slit electrodes disposed on the insulation layer, a second substrate disposed across from the first substrate, an upper-plate common electrode disposed on the second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the slit electrodes and the upper-plate common electrode. The LCD pixel driven by a plurality of regions in which different vertical electric fields are generated based on arrangements of at least one of the first electrode, the second electrode, the first slit electrode, the second slit electrode, and the upper-plate common electrode. |
| US09465264B2 |
Array substrate and manufacturing method thereof, and display device
An array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof and a display device are provided, and the array substrate comprises: a substrate (1); a thin film transistor, a passivation layer (5) and a transparent electrode (6), sequentially formed on the substrate, wherein a groove (51) is formed in an upper surface of the passivation layer (5), and the transparent electrode (6) is provided in the groove (51). |
| US09465261B2 |
Display device
The invention relates to a display device (10), in particular in the form of a multi-layer film body. The display device (10) has, in a first area (22), a first electrode (41), a second electrode (42), a third electrode (43) and a display layer (122) with a display material. The display layer (122) is arranged between the first electrode (41) and the second electrode (42). The third electrode (43) is arranged on the side of the display layer (122) facing away from the first electrode (41). The first electrode (41) is formed as an isolated electrode. The first electrode (41) overlaps both the second electrode (42) and the third electrode (43) at least in areas when viewed perpendicular to the plane spanned by the display layer (122). |
| US09465259B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
Provided is an LCD device including a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a main spacer, and a supplementary spacer. The liquid crystal layer is interposed between the first and second substrates. The main spacer makes contact with the first and second substrates. The supplementary spacer makes contact with one of the first and second substrates and is spaced apart from the other. A first area ratio defined by dividing the area of a first top surface by that of a first bottom surface of the main spacer may be smaller than a second area ratio defined by dividing the area of a second top surface by that of a second bottom surface of the supplementary spacer. |
| US09465258B2 |
Display panel having reduced influence of ions released from the sealant frame
A display panel having a display region and a non-display region surrounding the display region is provided. The display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a sealant located in the non-display region, and a display medium. The first substrate includes a plurality of scan lines and data lines, a plurality of active devices, a plurality of pixel electrodes, and a common electrode located in the display region. The active devices are electrically connected to the scan lines and the data lines. The pixel electrodes are electrically connected to the active devices. The common electrode is disposed corresponding to the pixel electrodes. The first substrate further includes a shielding electrode located in the non-display region and is electrically connected to the common electrode. The shielding electrode is located between the sealant and the common electrode and surrounds the display region. |
| US09465250B2 |
Shutter glasses, display device, display system and display method
The present invention provides shutter glasses comprising lenses and a shutter configured to control on-state or off-state of the lenses, wherein, the shutter is capable of turning on the lenses of the shutter glasses according to a predetermined first timing. The present invention further provides a display device, a display system and a display method. The shutter glasses provided by the present invention and the display device provided by the present invention are operated cooperatively, only a wearer wearing the shutter glasses can view coherent target images, while a person who does not wear the shutter glasses cannot identify contents of the target images, and cannot obtain contents of target images even when the display screen of the display device is photographed. With the shutter glasses and the display device provided by the present invention, security can be improved when operating confidential files. |
| US09465249B2 |
Display device capable of displaying a continuous image
A display device includes display units arranged in an array and a light guide unit. Each display unit includes a display panel including a display surface configured for displaying an image, and a frame located adjacent to edges of the display surface. The light guide unit includes a lower light guide and an upper light guide. The lower light guide is located above the display units, and includes first gratings. Each first grating corresponds to a side of one of the display unit and is configured for refracting light emitted from the display surface towards the corresponding side of the display unit. The upper light guide is located above the lower light guide and includes second gratings. Each second grating corresponds to one of the first gratings and is configured for reversely refracting light transmitted through the first grating towards a center of the display unit. |
| US09465247B2 |
Composition for black matrixes, method for preparing the same, display panel and display device
There are disclosed a composition for black matrixes, a method for preparing the same, a display panel and a display device. The method for preparing said composition for black matrixes includes pigment dispersion forming process comprising the following steps: stirring the mixture of a carbon black, a dispersion agent, a solvent and a resin having a developing property until well mixed, and then performing a first shaking; adding the solvent continuously, or further adding the resin having a developing property, and performing a second shaking; adding the solvent continuously, and performing a third shaking to obtain the pigment dispersion; wherein, during at least one of the three shakings, a resin for improving the viscosity and the granularity stability was added therein. The obtained black matrixes has a higher electrical conductivity, thus the defects at the time of booting in the current display device can be further reduced or even avoided. |
| US09465245B2 |
Touch panel
A touch panel includes: a cover window in which an active area and an unactive area are defined; a sensing electrode in the active area; a wire electrode connected to the sensing electrode; and a bonding part connected to the wire electrode, wherein the sensing electrode includes a first sensing electrode in the active area; and a second sensing electrode aligned on a same plane with the first sensing electrode in the active area, the first sensing electrode is coupled with the second sensing electrode, and a coupling area between the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode is increased as the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode are located away from the bonding part. |
| US09465242B1 |
Display panel and display device
The present invention provides a display panel and a display device. The display panel comprises an array substrate and a color filter substrate assembled in an aligned manner, the array substrate comprises a display area and a lead wire area provided on the periphery of at least one side of the display area, a first boundary line of the color filter substrate close to one side of the lead wire area has an orthographic projection on the array substrate and the orthographic projection falls into a boundary area of the lead wire area adjacent to the display area, a protective layer is provided on one side of the boundary area facing the color filter substrate, and the protective layer covers parts of the boundary area corresponding to the orthographic projection of the first boundary line on the array substrate and lead wires surrounding the parts. |
| US09465240B2 |
Optical absorption based device
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward techniques and configurations for an optical absorption based device using a semiconductor-dielectric-semiconductor structure. In one embodiment, the device may include an optical waveguide to transmit light inputted by a light source. The waveguide may include a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer disposed above the first semiconductor layer, a dielectric layer disposed between the first and second semiconductor layers, and an absorptive material layer disposed between the dielectric layer and the first or second semiconductor layer. The absorptive material layer may have a variable light absorption coefficient to allow intensity of light to be modulated through modulation of the absorption coefficient. The light may be substantially confined between the first and second semiconductor layers of the waveguide. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US09465239B2 |
Color neutral thermochromic layers and laminates
A combination of layers comprised of: 1) a first LETC layer; 2) a second LETC layer and 3) a separator layer between the two LETC layers 4) an additive within at least one of the LETC layers and the separator layer wherein when the layers are laminated between two sheets of clear glass the color coordinate values of the laminate are about −8.5≦a*≦about 8.5 and about −8.5≦b*≦about 8.5 throughout the temperature range of about 0° C. to about 85° C. |
| US09465238B2 |
Eyeglass system and method of use
An eyeglass system having a frame, left and right side shields connected to the frame at inset locations from the edge of the frame, arms connected to the side shields, and user select mechanisms for releasing the arms from a retracted position to a protracted position. The protracted position allows the length of the arms to be long enough for the temple tips to rest over the ears of the wearer while the retracted position allows the arms and side shields to close without the left side arm extending past the right side edge of the frame and the right side arm from extending past the left side edge of the frame in the closed position. |
| US09465236B2 |
Ophthalmic devices incorporating photonic elements
This invention describes Ophthalmic Devices with media inserts that have photonic elements upon or within them. In some embodiments passive ophthalmic devices of various kinds may be formed. Methods and devices for active ophthalmic devices based on photonic based projection systems may also be formed. |
| US09465235B2 |
Through-the-lens (TTL) loupes with improved declination angle
Dental/medical/surgical loupes have an improved declination angle to reduce neck and back strain. Eyeglass frames are provided with carrier lenses having bottom edges. A hole is provided in each carrier lens, each hole having an outer periphery that extends below the bottom edge of the carrier lens, resulting in a pair of opposing pointed ends. A pair of ocular devices are cemented in a respective one of the holes, such that a portion of the ocular body also extends below the bottom edge of the carrier lens. Each ocular is then cemented or otherwise permanently affixed into position to achieve a desired declination angle. For added stability, a pair of holes may be formed into the body of each ocular, each pair of holes being physically aligned with the two opposing pointed ends of the carrier lens associated with that ocular. |
| US09465234B2 |
Photochromic materials having extended pi-conjugated systems and compositions and articles including the same
The present invention provides ophthalmic devices comprising at least one photochromic material which is an indeno-fused naphthopyran having a pi-conjugation extending group bonded to the 11-position of the indeno-fused naphthopyran, the pi-conjugation extending group having at least one pendent halo-substituted group bonded thereto. The pi-conjugation extending group extends the pi-conjugation system of said indeno-fused naphthopyran. The 13-position of the indeno-fused naphthopyran is substantially free of spiro-substituents. The invention further provides photochromic materials of specified structure, photochromic compositions, photochromic articles and optical elements that include the photochromic materials. Other non-limiting embodiments relate to methods of making the ophthalmic devices comprising photochromic materials. |
| US09465225B2 |
3D display device
In an embodiment of the invention, a 3D display device is provided. The 3D display device includes: a first substrate including a plurality of right eye pixels and left eye pixels in an alternate arrangement; a second substrate opposite to the first substrate; a first optical modulating unit with a first inclined direction located in the right eye pixels between the first substrate and the second substrate; a second optical modulating unit with a second inclined direction located in the left eye pixels between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the first inclined direction is distinct from the second inclined direction; and a light transparent element disposed on the second substrate. |
| US09465222B2 |
Six-primary solid state illuminator
A six-primary solid state illuminator is provided, including a blue light output unit. The blue light output unit continuously outputs a first blue light and a second blue light simultaneously. The wavelength of the first blue light differs from the wavelength of the second blue light. In a first mode, the first blue light and the second blue light are modulated into S-polarized and are output as a first combined light. In a second mode, the first blue light and the second blue light are modulated into P-polarized and are output as a second combined light. |
| US09465221B2 |
Digital camera with light splitter
A digital camera component is described that has a light splitter cube having an entrance face to receive incident light from a camera scene. The cube splits the incident light into first, second, and third color components that emerge from the cube through a first face, a second face, and a third face of the cube, respectively. First, second, and third image sensors are provided, each being positioned to receive a respective one of the color components that emerge from the first, second, and third faces of the cube. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US09465218B2 |
Display device comprising multifunction glass, production method and optical element having a Fresnel structure
A multifunction optical element including an image generating module that generates an image, and couples the image into a multifunction glass that has a coupling in area and a coupling out area. The image produced is coupled into the multifunction glass via the coupling in area, guided in the multifunction glass to the coupling in area, and coupled out via the coupling out area, in such a way that the user can perceive the coupled out image superimposed on the surroundings when the holding device is placed on the head of the user. The coupling out area has a Fresnel structure which receives light from the coupling-in-area via a folded beam path and couples the image out of the multifunction optical element. The coupling out element has an imaging property. |
| US09465213B2 |
Waveguides
An image-providing light source device 58 is arranged to inject a non-coherent and collimated image into waveguide element 60. Light forming the image is dispersed by an optical element 76 so as to occupy a continuum of angles within the waveguide 60. The optical element 76 and a grating 70 are arranged such that the light exiting the waveguide occupies a single angle. Thereby, pupil banding of light exiting the waveguide 60 is mitigated. |
| US09465212B2 |
Flexible defocus blur for stochastic rasterization
User-controllable defocus blur for a stochastic rasterizer may be implemented by modifying circle of confusion coefficients per vertex to express more general defocus blur. The method can be applied to limit the foreground blur, extend the in-focus range, simulate tilt-shift photography, and specify per-object defocus blur. Furthermore, with two simplifying assumptions, existing triangle coverage tests and tile culling tests can be used with very modest modifications. |
| US09465210B1 |
Electro-optical device, method of manufacturing electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
In an electro-optical device, a light-transmitting cover is disposed in mirrors, and when light is applied toward the mirrors through the light-transmitting cover, the temperature of the light-transmitting cover tires to increase due to the applied light. Here, in the electro-optical device, first metal portions that are in contact with the light-transmitting cover and the element substrate are formed. For this reason, it is possible to release the heat of the light-transmitting cover to a substrate through the first metal portions and the element substrate. |
| US09465204B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus using the same
A zoom lens includes a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit having a negative refractive power. At the time of zooming, distances between the lens units change, and a distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit at a telephoto end is shorter than at a wide angle end. An aperture stop is disposed on the image side of an image-side surface of the first lens unit, and on the object side of an image-side surface of the second lens unit. The second lens unit includes two sub lens units. The object-side sub lens unit in the second lens unit includes one lens component. The following conditional expressions are satisfied. 3.0<ΔD12/ERS<4.5 1.05<|f3/fUN21|<2.1 |
| US09465202B2 |
Wide angle lens and imaging apparatus
A wide angle lens consists of a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, a stop, and a positive third lens group in order from the object side. The first lens group includes two negative meniscus lenses, each with a convex surface on the object side. The second lens group includes one pair of cemented lenses. The third lens group includes two pairs of cemented lenses and at least one aspherical surface. |
| US09465194B2 |
Optical system
An optical system includes a first lens having negative refractive power, of which an object-side surface is convex, a second lens having positive refractive power, a third lens having negative refractive power, of which an object-side surface is concave, a fourth lens having positive refractive power, of which an image-side surface is convex, and a fifth lens having negative refractive power and having a meniscus shape in which an object-side surface thereof is convex. The first to fifth lenses are sequentially disposed from an object side. An aberration improvement effect may be increased and high resolution and a wide angle may be implemented. |
| US09465193B2 |
Imaging lens system
An imaging lens system includes a first lens to a fifth lens sequentially disposed from an object side to an image side. The first lens has a positive refractive power and an object side lens surface that is convex toward the object side. The second lens has a negative refractive power and a meniscus shape that is concave toward the image side. The third lens has a positive refractive power. The fourth lens has a negative refractive power and a meniscus shape that is concave toward the object side. The fifth lens has a negative refractive power and a meniscus shape that is concave toward the image side near an optical axis. The imaging lens system satisfies the following condition: f34/f<−5, where f denotes a focal length of the imaging lens system, and f34 denotes an effective focal length of the third lens and the fourth lens. |
| US09465192B2 |
Imaging optical system, camera device and mobile information terminal device
An imaging optical system, includes: in the order from an object side to an image plane side, a first lens group having a first lens which is formed as a negative lens; a second lens group having a second lens which is formed as a plano-concave lens, a third lens which is formed as a negative meniscus lens, and a fourth lens which is formed as a biconvex lens; an aperture stop; a third lens group having a fifth lens which is formed as a biconvex lens, and a sixth lens which is formed as a biconcave lens; and a fourth lens group having a seventh lens which is formed as a negative meniscus lens. |
| US09465191B2 |
Lenses for curved sensor systems
The subject disclosure is directed towards lenses for curved surfaces, including multi-element lens assemblies. In one or more implementations, an object-side meniscus lens is coupled to an image/curved surface side subassembly including a biconvex lens. The subassembly may comprise a single biconvex lens or a biconvex lens coupled to a negative meniscus lens. |
| US09465188B2 |
Lens barrel
A lens barrel includes a flexible printed circuit board, a moving unit, and a support frame. The moving unit is configured to support the flexible printed circuit board. The support frame is configured to allow the moving unit to move in an optical axis direction. The support frame is configured to house the moving unit. The support frame includes a guide groove for guiding the flexible printed circuit board. The moving unit includes a convex portion provided to its outer peripheral portion. At least part of the convex portion is disposed in the guide groove. |
| US09465186B2 |
Lens module
Disclosed is lens module. The lens module includes a barrel and a lens group disposed in the barrel. The lens group includes a first lens element connecting with the barrel and a second lens element connecting with the first lens element. The first lens element connecting with the barrel makes the lens module have a first matching precision. The first matching precision makes the barrel and the lens group be concentric. The first lens element has a first arc surface and the second lens element has a second arc surface engaging with the first arc surface which makes the lens module have a second matching precision. The second matching precision makes the first lens element and the second lens element be concentric. |
| US09465184B2 |
Lens module
A lens module includes a lens holder having a top wall that has a bottom surface, and a lens unit received by the lens holder. The lens unit includes a first lens adjacent to the top wall and a second lens attached to the first lens. A first complementary configuration is arranged between the first lens and the top wall of the lens holder for ensuring a concentricity between the lens unit and the lens holder, and a second complementary configuration is arranged between the first lens and the second lens for ensuring a concentricity between the first lens and the second lens. |
| US09465182B2 |
Fiber optic cable assembly with micro-duct protection
A fiber optic cable assembly may include a fiber optic cable that has a jacket and a plurality of optical fibers enclosed by and extending longitudinally within the jacket. The fiber optic cable assembly may also include a micro-duct disposed around at least a portion of the jacket, for example, where the cable is buried below grade. The fiber optic cable assembly may further include an insulating layer disposed around at least a portion of the micro-duct, and an outer layer disposed around the insulating layer. The insulating layer and the outer layer may protect the micro-duct and the cable in the event of high temperature exposure that may arise from nearby high temperature utilities, such as in a manhole, as well as to enable the fiber optic cable to be air jetted through the micro-duct from a starting point to a terminating point of a cable routing path. |
| US09465175B2 |
Integrated lens-array-on-substrate for optical coupling system and fabrication method thereof
An integrated optical coupling device may include a substrate, a coating layer disposed on the substrate, and a prism disposed on the coating layer. The prism may include a first surface and a second surface. The integrated optical coupling device may also include a first lens disposed on the first surface of the prism, a second lens disposed on the second surface of the prism, and an anti-reflection coating layer disposed on the first lens and the second lens. |
| US09465173B2 |
Connector assembly
An improved connector assembly is disclosed wherein end segment portions of a male plug have increasing cylindrical wall cylindrical wall diameter from the outer-most segment to an intermediate segment to an inner segment. The female receptacle has its female receptacle dimensions arranged to accept the male plug such that increasing cylindrical wall diameters exist from its outer-most segment to an intermediate segment to an inner-most segment. The increased diameters enhance the sealing with a strong and sustainable sealing pressure wherein coupling forces between the male plug and female receptacle are minor until the end of the insertion of the male plug into the female receptacle. |
| US09465158B2 |
Light-guide coupler for modulating angular and spatial distributions of light source
A light-guide coupler for modulating angular and spatial distributions of a light source is provided. The light-guide coupler includes a transmission body and a microstructure portion. One end of the transmission body defines a first opening. The other end of the transmission body defines a second opening. The width of the transmission body increases in a direction from the first opening to the second opening and forms a curved portion in at least one side plane of the transmission body. The microstructure portion is configured on one plane of the transmission body. An inner reflecting surface is formed in the transmission body and matched to the microstructure portion and curved portion. The inner reflecting surface forms a light transmission path between the first opening and the second opening. |
| US09465157B2 |
Spread illuminating apparatus
A spread illuminating apparatus includes a light source that emits white light, and a light guide plate including an incident light surface which is an end surface at which the light source is disposed and an emitting part that emits light which has entered from the incident light surface in a spread pattern from an emitting surface. The light guide plate includes an incident light wedge part between the incident light surface and the emitting part, the incident light wedge part including an inclined surface and tapering in thickness from the incident light surface side toward a forward direction. Also, a blue light reflecting unit is disposed on at least one of the emitting surface side or an opposite side of the emitting surface side near a boundary between the incident light wedge part and the emitting part. |
| US09465154B2 |
Light emitting device
To provide a light emitting device that makes it possible to form a surface light emitting apparatus of less unevenness in luminance. The light emitting device 10 of the present invention comprises a light emitting element 30, connecting terminals 21a, 21b connected with the light emitting element 30, a package 12 which has a recess 40 wherein the light emitting element 30 is mounted and from which a part of each connecting terminal 21a, 21b is projected outward, an opening 41 of the recess 40 being elongated in one direction, wherein both side walls of the recess 40 positioned in the longitudinal direction of the recess 40 are inclined surface 43, an angle θ between both the inclined surfaces 43 being 90 degrees or more. In the light emitting device 10 of the present invention, light emitted by the light emitting element 30 is spread sufficiently in the longitudinal direction of the opening 41 so as to produce a band-shaped beam. As a result, when a plurality of light emitting devices 10 are disposed along the longitudinal direction of the light receiving surface 72 of the light guide plate 71 for constituting the surface light emitting apparatus 70, unevenness in luminance can be suppressed from occurring as dark portions are less likely to be generated between adjacent light emitting devices 10. |
| US09465153B2 |
Linear light source module and optical touch device with the same
A linear light source module includes a mirror light guide component and a light emitting component. The mirror light guide component has a light emitting end, a surface having a mirror light reflecting layer formed thereon and a light incidence end. The light emitting component is configured for providing light to the light incidence end. The mirror light guide component is a light guide bar and is configured for converting the light from the first light emitting component into a linear light when the light emitting component is lighted, and the mirror light guide component is a mirror bar and is configured for providing a mirror function when the light emitting component is closed. An optical touch device with the linear light source module can avoid a blind zone and can be used as a dual-touch device or a multi-touch device. |